Asiedu Nketiah Assumes Leadership of APPI, Urges African Leaders to Embrace Long-Term Governance

The National Chairman of Ghana’s National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has assumed a major continental leadership position after being appointed the inaugural Chairman of the African Political Parties Initiative (APPI).

He accepted the responsibility on Saturday, November 7, 2026, during the African Political Parties Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where political representatives from different African countries gathered to discuss the future of political leadership and governance on the continent.

Following his appointment, Asiedu Nketiah called on African political parties to move beyond their traditional focus on winning elections and begin investing in the institutional structures, knowledge and leadership skills required to govern effectively.

In his acceptance address, the experienced Ghanaian politician argued that political parties should not operate merely as organisations established to secure electoral victories. Instead, they must become institutions capable of preparing future leaders and contributing meaningfully to national development.

He explained that the quality of governance depends partly on how political parties prepare their members for public responsibility before they eventually assume political office.

According to him, political power can change hands within a short period, but the development of a country requires consistent planning, strong institutions and long-term commitment.

Asiedu Nketiah also expressed concern about Africa’s economic and employment challenges, particularly the growing number of young people entering the labour market without sufficient formal employment opportunities.

He cited estimates indicating that between 10 million and 12 million young Africans enter the labour market annually, while only approximately three million formal jobs are created.

He argued that political parties must develop practical knowledge in important sectors such as agriculture, trade, energy, technology, industry and public finance to help address these challenges.

The NDC Chairman further stressed the importance of maintaining continuity in national development whenever political power changes hands.

He explained that incoming governments should not automatically abandon useful policies, investments and functioning institutions established by previous administrations simply because of political differences.

According to him, development projects involving industrial capacity, transportation, energy, education and agriculture often require several years to produce meaningful results.

He therefore believes that African leaders must develop the political maturity to identify policies that need improvement while preserving initiatives that continue to serve the public interest.

Another important issue he raised was the need to give women and young people greater opportunities to participate in political decision-making.

He maintained that their involvement should go beyond campaign activities and political mobilisation to include policy development, resource allocation and leadership responsibilities.

Asiedu Nketiah also introduced the importance of APPI Agenda 2040, which is expected to provide a common long-term framework for strengthening political institutions, developing leadership capacity and preparing future generations of African leaders.

He acknowledged the Africa Governance Centre for establishing the initiative and bringing political parties from different parts of the continent together.

Concluding his address, he emphasised that Africa’s growing population and natural resources would not automatically translate into prosperity and international influence without strong institutions and effective political leadership.

His appointment places Ghana’s NDC Chairman at the head of a continental initiative seeking to strengthen the contribution of political parties to Africa’s governance and economic transformation.

The development marks another significant continental responsibility for Asiedu Nketiah as he begins his tenure as the inaugural APPI Chairman.

https://x.com/TheGhanaWeb/status/2119125586878579072?a=xvr50kRORQRMp_KkAUI&s=19

Writer_nana feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com