National Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has called on political parties to place greater emphasis on preparing their members for effective governance rather than focusing solely on winning elections.
Mr. Asiedu Nketiah made the call in Seoul, Republic of Korea, where he is participating in the inaugural Inter-Continental Dialogue among Political Parties.
Speaking on behalf of the African Political Parties Initiative, he said the quality of governance in any country was shaped within political parties long before their representatives assumed public office.
According to him, political parties play a critical role in determining who gets opportunities to serve and the standards expected of those entrusted with leadership positions.
He noted that a party could be highly successful at winning elections but still face serious challenges in government if it failed to adequately prepare its members for the responsibilities of governance.
Mr. Asiedu Nketiah stressed that political parties should therefore not be viewed merely as vehicles for electoral victory but as institutions responsible for producing capable leaders who can govern effectively.
He urged political parties to strengthen their internal systems, leadership development and preparation of potential officeholders to ensure that electoral victories translate into effective and accountable governance.
“Political parties are not only built to win elections but to govern effectively,” he said.
