The President of the Republic of Ghana John Dramani Mahama has once again emphasized the need for empowering youth and women, as well as advocating for the African Union’s (AU) financial independence. Speaking at the high-level retreat on AU Institutional Reforms in Nairobi, president Mahama stressed that with over 60% of Africa’s population under 25, the continent’s future lies in the hands of its young people.
To harness this potential, Mahama called for institutionalizing frameworks that enable youth and women to lead at all levels of governance. He also highlighted the importance of amplifying their voices in the policymaking process to reflect the diverse needs of African society.
Ghana has already taken a promising step towards inclusive leadership with the recent election of its first female Vice President. Mahama, who has consistently shown his commitment to this cause, praised the move as a significant milestone.
However, president Mahama also emphasized the need for the AU to achieve financial autonomy. He advocated for implementing the Kigali Decision on Financing the Union, which would reduce the AU’s dependence on external funding. This, he believes, would allow the AU to set its own agenda and focus on accountability, transparency, and driving real change for the African people.
President Mahama expressed his appreciation for President William Ruto’s efforts in hosting the High-Level Retreat and leading the process of Institutional Reform within the AU. As the continent moves forward, Mahama’s vision for a more inclusive, empowered, and financially independent Africa is undoubtedly a step in the right direction.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
