African political parties summit adopts 10-point declaration

The 2025 African Political Parties Summit has adopted a 10-point declaration by committing themselves to the establishment of a neutral continental engagement framework for inter-party dialogue and cooperation.

It said that this must  align with electoral campaigns and long-term development goals, focusing on prosperity and progress.

Dubbed “the Accra Declaration,” it is meant to strengthen political parties as institutions capable of sustaining good governance beyond individual electoral cycles.

It also stressed the need for political parties to work towards achieving the African Union Agenda 2063, with the aim of building the “Africa we all want”.

The conference, which begun from August 12, 2025, ended in Accra yesterday. It was on the theme: "From politics to prosperity: Strengthening inter-party collaboration for Africa’s development and economic transformation."

It had participants across 100 political parties from over 50 African and Caribbean countries.

The summit was organised by the Africa Governance Centre, in partnership with the government.

Inclusivity

The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, praised the summit's focus on the promotion of women and youth affairs.

"If we don't make proactive and intentional objectives to push the interests of the youth and women, Africa as a continent will have ourselves to blame in the future.

"If you want to practice multi-party democracy without factoring in the base of your people, the psyche of your people, and the heritage of the people, you may end up building castles in the air," he said.

Mr Debrah expressed the government's support for the summit's objectives, adding "as a government, we gave the necessary support to make the summit a very successful event".

Common goal

The Special Envoy of the South African President, Jeffrey Radebe, stressed the need for African leaders to work towards a common goal of building their future.

"Let us be clear, summits do not change nations but leaders do," Mr Radebe said, adding that the summit's success would be judged by the actions of leaders in the months ahead.

"History will ask of each of us, did you take the spirit of cooperation home with you or you left it at the airport?" he said.

Mr Radebe called on African leaders to reject petty rivalries and short-term calculations and focus on politics anchored on vision and permanence.

"End small politics, reject the petty rivalries and short-term calculations that have kept our nations settled at the same challenges.

"True leadership is proven when the work you begin survives your departure from office," he said.

Mr Radebe further urged African leaders to prioritise their country's unity, stability and peace over personal ambition. When those moments come, choose the republic over the throne," he added.

Collaboration

The Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, said the declaration was a collective voice of Africa's political leadership, aimed to deepen inter-party collaboration, align political action with industrialisation and infrastructure development, including safeguarding peace, democracy and the rule of law.

He emphasised the need for political maturity, unity and constructive engagements to facilitate development.

The Chair of the Steering Committee, Africa Governance Centre and the General-Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, also called on African leaders to tap into the continent's vast potential and take bold action to drive development.

He stressed the need for leaders to have confidence in themselves and their heritage.

"Darkness does not mean lack of capacity, but rather the covering of great capacities and great potentials," Mr Kwetey said.

He said by having confidence in themselves and their heritage, leaders could unlock the continent's true potential to drive growth.