President John Dramani Mahama has called on African Union (AU) member states to prioritize the inclusion of women and youth in leadership roles at all levels of governance.
Addressing a high-level summit on AU institutional reforms in Nairobi, President Mahama emphasized the urgent need for the AU to empower these underrepresented groups and highlighted his own legacy of appointing Ghana’s first female Vice President.
“Africa’s future lies in its youth, and over 60% of our population is under the age of 25,” Mahama said. “Yet, their voices are largely absent in policymaking. We must institutionalize frameworks that empower our young people and women to lead at all levels of governance.”
Mahama also raised concerns about the AU’s over-reliance on external funding, which he warned compromises the organization’s ability to independently set and execute its agenda. He urged the expedited implementation of the Kigali decision on financing the AU to promote self-reliance.
“The over-reliance on external partners for funding compromises the organization’s independence and its ability to set its own agenda,” Mahama noted. “A self-reliant African Union is not just a vision; it is an imperative.”
In his address, Mahama also acknowledged the AU’s achievements, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its contributions to peace and security. However, he stressed that the challenges facing the continent—youth unemployment, food insecurity, governance deficits, and climate change demand bold and transformative reforms.
