Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang eloquently advocated for a paradigm shift in electoral contests, urging African leaders to prioritize policy-driven governance over ballot-driven rivalries.
She emphasized the imperative of crafting policies that genuinely enhance the well-being of citizens, asserting that “policies, when divorced from the pursuit of wellbeing, become vacuous and devoid of meaningful impact.”
She poignantly highlighted the fundamental expectations of the populace, stating, “Our people do not solicit politics for its own sake; they crave politics that translates into tangible outcomes – food security, decent employment opportunities, functional educational institutions, accessible healthcare, efficient infrastructure, security, and justice. Their gaze extends beyond the immediacy of the next election, focusing instead on the prosperity and well-being of future generations.”
Professor Opoku-Agyemang stressed the need for leaders to adopt a far-sighted approach, prioritizing policies and projects that transcend individual political careers and endure beyond the ephemeral nature of electoral cycles.
“Let us adopt a long-term perspective,” she exhorted, “one that prioritizes policies and projects that will outlast our own political tenure, fostering a legacy of sustainable development and progress.”
In addressing the perennial challenge of discontinuity that often impedes Africa’s development trajectory, the Vice President urged leaders to craft national development plans that would be respected and built upon by successive governments.
She highlighted the importance of unity in vision, citing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a paradigmatic example of collaborative progress.
She also emphasized the imperative of maintaining stability during electoral processes, warning that instability poses a significant threat to the livelihoods of citizens. She expressed optimism that the adoption of the African Political Parties Initiative (APPI) implementation framework would catalyze enhanced political cooperation across borders, enabling African leaders to more effectively address regional challenges, combat illicit trade, and respond to pandemics.
The three-day summit, aptly themed “From Politics to Prosperity,” convened African Heads of State to deliberate on pivotal issues shaping the continent’s future, fostering a collective commitment to harnessing the potential of policy-driven governance for the betterment of African societies.
