African political parties must focus on addressing social and economic challenges rather than solely pursuing electoral victories, President Carlos Vila Nova of São Tomé and Príncipe has said.

Speaking at the opening of the African Political Parties Summit in Accra, President Vila Nova called on parties to build resilient economies, promote social justice, and strengthen state institutions.

“It is time to change… the role of political parties must evolve from instruments of gaining power to true platforms for promoting economic growth.

“It is no longer sufficient to organise elections and compete for power; political parties must become engine of national transformation, drivers of sustainable economic development, and warrantors of ethical and inclusive governance,” he stated.

President Vila Nova cited population growth and climate change as key challenges and emphasised the role of political parties in promoting good governance, quality education, and youth entrepreneurship.

“Good governance and development do not happen by chance. They are the outcome of clear vision, sound policies, and the ability to mobilise people around shared goals, and this must begin with political parties themselves,” he said.

President Vila Nova urged political leaders to act as “effective mediators between the state and society” and build “a common continental vision,” adding: “If we get the politics right, everything else will follow.”

The three-day summit, organised by the Africa Governance Centre in partnership with the Government of Ghana, brought together delegates from over 160 political parties and 50 African and Caribbean countries.

Held under the theme “From Politics to Prosperity: Strengthening Inter-Party Collaboration for Africa’s Development and Economic Transformation,” the summit aimed to promote dialogue, consensus-building, and inter-party cooperation.

Vice President Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, in her address, called for governance that positively impacts citizens.

“…Power is transient but the nation endures. Partisan victories mean very little if they are achieved at the expense of national cohesion…

“Our people do not ask us to perform politics for its sake. They deserve politics that translate into full security, decent jobs, functional schools, accessible healthcare, infrastructure and justice… African politics can be more than a struggle for power; it can be a framework for progress,” she stated.

Mr. Fiifi Kwetey, General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), urged leaders to exercise power with humility and respect divergent views.

“We cannot, under the guise of democracy, continue to behave in a manner that clearly shows that we do not believe in democracy… Leadership is not about how to prevent others from having power but how to focus on delivering for our people,” he said.

The summit also saw the adoption of the implementation framework of the African Political Parties Initiative (APPI), a flagship platform for sustained inter-party engagement and capacity development.