A Strategic Blueprint for Becoming a Political Force in a Multi-Party African State

In the intricate and often volatile political landscape of many African nations, the dominance of entrenched political duopolies poses formidable challenges for new political movements striving to establish themselves as credible alternatives. To effectively navigate these complex terrains and mount a serious challenge to the status quo, a new political party must adopt a bottom-up approach, prioritising grassroots engagement, fostering community-based representation, and cultivating a strong political identity over an extended period.

The Inspiration Behind This Think Piece

The upcoming elections in Ghana, slated for December 2024, have served as a significant source of inspiration for this think piece. The election has attracted a diverse array of independent candidates and new political movements, all eager to make their mark on the national stage. However, I am concerned that many of these emerging forces are adopting a top-down approach, focusing their efforts on immediate, high-profile victories rather than building a solid foundation. This strategy, while appealing in the short term, is unlikely to bear the necessary fruit for long-term success. There is a pressing need for genuine transformation in Ghana’s political landscape, including the dismantling of the entrenched duopoly of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). To achieve this, a bottom-up strategy may prove to be a far more effective and sustainable approach for these emerging political forces.

Lessons from the Past

Far too often, new political aspirants in Africa set their sights on the presidency as the immediate goal, assuming that winning the highest office will automatically lead to political success. While this strategy might occasionally work in situations where established parties are weakened by internal strife or leadership gaps, it is typically unsustainable in contexts where traditional parties possess deep-rooted histories, extensive networks, and loyal support bases. For instance, during the 2020 Ghanaian presidential election, a well-financed third-party candidate faced significant challenges in making a substantial impact against the entrenched dominance of the NPP and NDC. This example highlights the shortcomings of a top-down approach where the absence of grassroots support can render even the most resourceful campaigns ineffective.

The Bottom-Up Strategy

In contrast, a bottom-up approach starts with the foundational aspects of political engagement, community involvement and local representation. For a new party to become a formidable force, it must first establish a strong presence at the grassroots level. This involves:

1.     Community Engagement and Ideological Outreach: The party must embed itself within local communities, engaging directly with citizens to understand their needs, aspirations, and grievances. By articulating a clear and compelling ideology that resonates with these communities, the party can begin to cultivate a loyal support base. This approach transcends merely disseminating information, it necessitates the creation of a genuine dialogue that enables the party to refine its message and policies in alignment with the people’s concerns.

• In South Africa, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) successfully harnessed community dissatisfaction with the African National Congress (ANC) by engaging with marginalised groups and offering a radical alternative to the prevailing political order. This grassroots engagement was pivotal in the EFF’s emergence as a significant player in South African politics.

2.     Supporting Local Candidates: A crucial element of the bottom-up strategy is the nurturing and backing of fresh, dynamic candidates from within the community to stand for local council elections and parliamentary seats. These individuals, rooted in the communities they aim to represent, are more likely to earn the trust and support of local voters. By securing these positions, the party begins to establish a political footprint that can be expanded over time.

· The rise of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in Zimbabwe exemplifies the power of this approach. The MDC initially concentrated on winning local and parliamentary seats, thereby constructing a network of grassroots support that eventually enabled it to challenge the dominance of ZANU-PF at the national level.

The Role of Citizen Champions

As the party secures representation in local councils and parliament, it concurrently establishes a network of dedicated supporters, citizen champions who can mobilise others and act as the party’s campaign machinery. These champions are crucial not only for electioneering but also for maintaining the party’s presence and influence within the community between election cycles. Building such a network is an iterative process, requiring continuous engagement and the gradual cultivation of trust over successive electoral cycles. These citizen champions, drawn from the very communities they represent, embody the party’s ideals and serve as its most effective advocates. Their role extends beyond mere support; they become the lifeblood of the party, ensuring its message resonates at the grassroots level and fostering a sense of ownership and loyalty among the electorate.

·       In the United Kingdom, the Labour Party’s network of local activists has historically played a pivotal role in sustaining the party’s connection with working-class communities, particularly during periods when the party was not in power. These citizen champions have been instrumental in driving local campaigns, organising community events, and ensuring that the party’s policies reflect the concerns of the grassroots. This enduring relationship has helped Labour maintain a resilient support base, even in challenging political climates.

The Three-Term Strategy

To effectively challenge established political parties, a new movement must be prepared to invest in a long-term strategy, focusing on building a robust foundation over at least three electoral terms. During this period, the party’s primary objective should be to secure representation at the local and legislative levels, using these platforms to demonstrate its effectiveness and establish a verifiable track record.

1. First Term: The initial focus should be on local council elections, where the party can secure a foothold in municipal governance. The primary goal at this stage is to build visibility and credibility within the community. The party can begin to earn the trust and support of the electorate by addressing local issues and delivering tangible results. This term is also an opportunity to cultivate local leadership and develop a deep understanding of the community’s needs and aspirations.
2. Second Term: With a foundation established at the local level, the party should expand its efforts into parliamentary races, aiming to increase its representation in the legislature. During this period, the party must also work on solidifying its ideological stance and policy proposals, ensuring that they are closely aligned with the needs and concerns of the constituencies it represents. This term is critical for building a coherent and compelling narrative that differentiates the party from established competitors.
3. Third Term: In the third term, the party should focus on consolidating the gains made at both the local and parliamentary levels while beginning to position itself for a national challenge. At this stage, the party should have a well-established identity, a proven track record of delivering on its promises, and a network of experienced and trusted candidates ready to compete for higher offices. The party’s growing influence should be evident not only in electoral successes but also in its ability to shape public discourse and policy debates on a national scale.

The Emergence of Leadership

One of the primary advantages of adopting a bottom-up approach is its capacity to facilitate the organic emergence of leadership. In contrast to top-down models, where leadership is often imposed from above, this strategy nurtures the development of leaders who have demonstrated their commitment and service at the grassroots level. It will have cultivated a leader who not only embodies the party’s core values but also commands the trust and support of its base by the time a political party is prepared to contest the presidency,.

Take, for instance, the case of John Magufuli in Tanzania. His ascent within the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) was not the result of external imposition but rather an organic process where his leadership qualities were recognised and celebrated over time. This gradual recognition of his abilities ultimately culminated in his election as the party’s presidential candidate.

The Path to a Viable Alternative

Establishing a political party within a multi-party African state such as Ghana necessitates a blend of patience, strategic planning, and unwavering commitment to grassroots engagement. A crucial aspect of this endeavour is the inclusion of strong representation from Generation Z. As the youngest segment of the population, Gen Z holds unique perspectives and priorities that can invigorate political discourse and drive innovative solutions to contemporary issues.

The upcoming elections in Ghana underscore the urgency of this approach. As independent candidates and emerging political movements endeavour to challenge the entrenched dominance of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), they must resist the allure of a top-down methodology. Instead, by prioritising local representation, actively engaging young leaders, and fostering homegrown leadership, these new forces can build a robust ideological foundation. They not only ensure that the interests of younger voters are represented but also empower the next generation of leaders by amplifying Gen Z voices within their ranks.

In doing so, these movements can position themselves as credible alternatives, poised to effect meaningful change within African democracies.