President John Dramani Mahama has raised concerns about the African Union’s (AU) continued dependence on external funding, arguing that it hampers the organization’s ability to set its own priorities and exercise full autonomy.
Speaking at the opening session of the retreat on AU institutional reforms in Nairobi, Kenya, Mahama emphasized the need for financial self-sufficiency within the Union.
He highlighted the urgency of implementing the Kigali Decision on Financing the Union, which was adopted by African Union leaders at the 2016 summit in Kigali, Rwanda. The decision aims to secure a sustainable and predictable funding source for the AU, reducing its reliance on external donors.
The retreat, which is addressing critical challenges like terrorism, financing, and trade agreements, provides a platform to advance solutions for these issues.
Mahama stressed that the AU must adopt reforms that prioritize accountability, transparency, and value for money to ensure that resources are used efficiently for the benefit of the African people.
He underscored that one of the key pillars of these reforms is securing the Union’s financial independence, adding that over-dependence on external sources compromises the AU’s ability to pursue its own agenda.
He urged African nations to expedite the implementation of the Kigali financing decision, which would be a significant step toward achieving the AU’s long-term goals.
The former president also called for greater representation of women and youth in leadership positions across the continent. Drawing from his own experience, Mahama pointed to his appointment of Ghana’s first female vice president as an example of fostering inclusive governance.
He highlighted that Africa’s future lies in its youth, with over 60% of the population under the age of 25, yet their voices are often absent in policy discussions.
“Africa must institutionalize a framework that empowers young people and women to lead at all levels of governance,” he concluded.
