Asiedu Nketia urges political parties to rebuild public trust at Inter-Continental dialogue in South Korea

Johnson Asiedu Nketia, chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), called upon political parties to rebuild public trust at the inaugural Inter-Continental Dialogue on Political Parties in South Korea. Representing parties involved in the African Political Parties Initiative (APPI), Nketia emphasized that political parties must adapt to evolving societal expectations and develop leaders capable of governing.

Younger citizens, he noted, are increasingly demanding political institutions that can address their concerns, such as unemployment, economic insecurity, and rising living costs. Political parties should not rely solely on historical identity or generational loyalty to remain relevant, as each generation faces unique economic and social conditions.

Nketia stressed that public confidence must be earned and that parties must pay attention when citizens lose faith in their ability to deliver better lives. He also cautioned against equating electoral success with readiness to govern, stating that the quality of government is formed before elections through the qualities parties reward and the character of policies they develop.

Nketia urged parties to learn from electoral defeats, declining membership, and public disaffection rather than blaming opponents, and emphasized the importance of opposition serving as a period of preparation rather than political suspension. He urged parties to remain effective both in government and opposition, as the long-term relevance of political parties depends on their ability to adapt, produce quality leadership, and maintain public confidence beyond individual election cycles.