John Mahama during the launch
President John Dramani Mahama has launched the African Political Parties Initiative (APPI), an ambitious project aimed at fostering inter-party cooperation, strengthening democratic governance, and advancing policy innovation across the African continent.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Africa Governance Centre, was unveiled at a high-profile event on Friday, March 7, 2025, under the theme: “Fostering Inter-party Cooperation and Effective Governance for Africa’s Economic Transformation.”
Among the distinguished guests present were Jeffrey Thamsanqa Radebe, Chair of the Advisory Board of the Africa Governance Centre and Special Envoy of the President of South Africa; Alexander Grant Ntrakwa, Ghana’s former Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Comoros; and Edite Ten Jua, Former Vice President of the Constitutional Court and Former Minister of Justice & Foreign Affairs of São Tomé & PrÃncipe, who serves as the Executive Secretary of the 2025 African Political Parties Summit.
In his keynote address, President Mahama emphasised the urgent need for political parties to prioritize national development over partisanship.
He noted that while democracy has expanded across Africa over the past three decades, governance has not necessarily improved, with many countries experiencing policy reversals, economic stagnation, and institutional instability.
“Too many political parties have become instruments of division rather than forces for national development. Instead of engaging in evidence-based policymaking, leaders often appeal to emotions and primordial loyalties, reinforcing divisions that undermine social cohesion and national unity,” he stated.
President Mahama also criticised the commercialization of politics, where political parties rely on small elite business interests for funding, leading to governance structures that serve private wealth rather than the public good.
“The rising cost of elections, the influence of money in politics, and patronage networks have made it difficult for political parties to remain independent and accountable,” he lamented.
Highlighting the continent’s youthful population, President Mahama urged political parties to actively engage young people in leadership rather than using them as tools for electoral violence.
“With over 60% of Africa’s population under 25, our future depends on how effectively we involve young people in governance. If we fail to create meaningful opportunities for them, we risk alienating an entire generation,” he warned.
He pointed out that his administration has prioritized youth inclusion in government, fulfilling campaign promises by appointing young leaders to ministerial positions and state-owned institutions.
The president stressed the importance of consensus-building and cross-party engagement in governance, noting that political parties should not exist merely to win elections but to create stable governance, economic prosperity, and social justice.
He announced that his administration had already launched national dialogues on education reform, economic and fiscal policy, and constitutional review to ensure broad-based consultations on key national issues.
President Mahama also commended the Africa Governance Centre for its vision in launching the APPI, describing it as a groundbreaking initiative that would help political leaders reform independent institutions, promote public participation, and foster deeper regional cooperation.
Concluding his address, President Mahama called on political leaders across Africa to reject polarization, misinformation, and self-serving politics, urging them instead to focus on the continent’s long-term economic transformation and democratic stability.
“This initiative marks the beginning of a new era, one where political parties become partners in progress, where governance is rooted in service, and where Africa finally claims its rightful place as a strong, united, and prosperous continent,” he declared.
With that, he officially launched the African Political Parties Initiative, setting the stage for a renewed commitment to inclusive governance, policy innovation, and cross-party cooperation across Africa.
APPI aims to bring together major political parties across Africa to collaborate on developing a framework for good governance, effective leadership, and sustainable development for the continent.
AE