African Leaders Should Cease Opponent Targeting, Says Fiifi Kwetey

During the African Political Parties Summit held in Accra on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, the General Secretary of Ghana’s National Democratic Congress (NDC), delivered a powerful appeal to political leaders across Africa. He urged them to put an immediate stop to political persecution and to foster genuine democratic principles throughout the continent. Kwetey warned that Africa’s wealth of natural resources and a predominantly young population remain largely underexploited, mainly due to the ongoing absence of political maturity and responsible governance.

Speaking to an assembly of political representatives from across the continent, Kwetey highlighted the vast potential Africa holds. Despite being rich in minerals and natural resources, and endowed with a dynamic youthful demographic, Africa continues to lag behind in terms of global leadership and development. He attributed this stagnation in part to political leaders who weaken democratic institutions and stifle opposition voices under the guise of protecting democracy.

Kwetey described how certain governments abuse their power by targeting businesses linked to opposition parties, manipulating public institutions for political gain, and using their mandates to marginalize or silence political competitors. He emphasized that such practices betray the democratic ideal and ignore the genuine will of the people, resulting in a system that serves only a few instead of the many.

The NDC official urged political leaders to embrace humility, reminding them that political office should be seen as a platform to encourage growth not only in politics but across various sectors like commerce, culture, and education. He called on leaders to recognize their limitations and to create spaces that allow different forms of leadership and innovation to thrive, which would in turn foster overall societal development.

Kwetey also called on African political parties to take a hard look at their own conduct and performance. He encouraged them to engage in honest introspection and to cooperate across party lines, seeking practical and inclusive solutions that would improve the quality of life for citizens—especially the continent’s youth, who represent its future. Collaboration and genuine dialogue, he insisted, are essential to overcoming the political and economic challenges Africa currently faces.

Reaffirming the commitment of the National Democratic Congress to continental progress, Kwetey expressed strong support for initiatives such as the African Governance Centre and the African Political Parties Initiative. He described the summit as an invaluable platform for exchanging ideas, sharing experiences, and developing strategies that could accelerate Africa’s advancement.

In closing, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey’s message was clear: Africa’s future depends on political leaders who reject authoritarian tendencies and embrace true democracy. Only by respecting political pluralism, protecting democratic institutions, and harnessing the continent’s abundant resources for the benefit of all can Africa realize its immense potential. This transformation requires leaders who prioritize the people’s interests over partisan politics and who commit to building a continent marked by peace, prosperity, and inclusive growth.