Kwesi Pratt Jnr is the Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper
The Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has called for a redefinition of politics within the African context, emphasising the need for governance systems that prioritise the welfare of citizens.
Speaking on Alhaji and Alhaji on Pan African TV on April 18, 2026, Pratt argued that politics should fundamentally be centred on the needs and aspirations of the people.
“What is politics? I think the best definition would be production and distribution for the satisfaction of the needs and aspirations of people. It cannot be anything else,” he stated.
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According to him, political systems must focus on how resources are generated, managed, and utilised to address real societal challenges.
He stressed that elections should not merely be procedural exercises but should lead to tangible outcomes that improve the lives of citizens.
“It’s about what resources we have, how we utilise those resources and manage those resources to resolve the concrete problems that confront us. Elections must lead to outcomes which enable us to perform these functions properly. Anything short of this is problematic,” Pratt explained.
He made these remarks while contributing to the debate on the outcome of Benin elections that saw President Romuald Wadagni win overwhelmingly by 94% vote margin, an outcome political watchers have termed as unrealistic.
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Addressing the issue within the broader context of African electoral processes, Kwesi Pratt Jnr urged for a shift toward governance models that deliver meaningful developments.
Touching on historical precedents, Pratt cited the case of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, the first president of Côte d'Ivoire.
He noted concerns about Houphouët-Boigny’s political ties to France, pointing out that the Ivorian leader had also served as a member of the French Parliament while leading his country.
“That’s problematic,” Pratt remarked, suggesting that such arrangements raise questions about sovereignty and political independence.
Félix Houphouët-Boigny served as president from 1960 until his death in 1993 and is widely regarded as the founding father of the nation.
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