Desirous of spreading the gains made under the Ghana Political Parties Programme (GPPP) to countries in the sub-region, The Institute in 2006 initiated the West Africa Regional Programme of Political Parties (WARPPP). The programme brings together the leaders of political parties in 7 West African countries including Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin, Togo, Mali and Nigeria to share lessons, experiences and best practices with their Ghanaian counterparts for the purpose of promoting peace and stability in the sub-region. To date, some of the countries involved have replicated programmes similar to the IEA-GPPP.
It is worth noting that the current President of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma, having attended and benefited from several meetings and exchanges with his Ghanaian counterparts when he was the Chairman of his party (the All Peoples Congress), invited the IEA/GPPP to Sierra Leone on his assumption of power in 2007. The visit was to enable the GPPP members share Ghana’s experiences on the transfer of power in 2001 with the leaders of political parties in Sierra Leone. The visit succeeded diffusing political tensions and ensured a smooth transfer of power in Sierra Leone.
Clearly, the establishment of the WARPPP is in direct fulfillment of the ultimate mission of The IEA, which is to promote good governance, multi-party democracy and a fair market economy not only in Ghana, but also in West Africa and the entire continent of Africa.
On the occasion of our Silver Jubilee, we look back with gratitude and pride on our humble founding and modest beginnings, and the trail-blazing effort which has paved the way for the emergence of other independent policy centres and think tanks in Ghana and in Africa as a whole. We thank in particular, our pioneering fathers, and indeed all our partners and stakeholders, without whom we could not have chalked these profound milestones. We draw inspiration and look ahead with a keen sense of determination to live up to our mandate of creating a more prosperous and free society.