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Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has called on the African Union (AU) to urgently prioritise the inclusion of women and youth in leadership positions across the continent.
Speaking at the AU institutional reforms summit in Nairobi on January 27, 2025, Mahama highlighted the transformative potential of empowering these under-represented groups in shaping Africa’s future.
“Africa’s future lies in its youth, and over 60% of our population is under the age of 25,” President Mahama pointed out.
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He stressed that while young people form the majority of Africa’s population, their voices remain largely excluded from critical decision-making processes.
He advocated for institutional frameworks that would not only encourage but also institutionalise the active participation of women and youth in governance at all levels.
Drawing from his own legacy, Mahama referenced his historic appointment of Ghana’s first female vice president, emphasising the importance of gender equality in leadership roles.
He reiterated that empowering both youth and women is not only a matter of justice but also one of the continent’s most pressing needs.
In his speech, Mahama also raised concerns about the AU’s persistent dependence on external funding, a situation he argued undermines the organisation’s autonomy and capacity to effectively set and implement its own agenda.
He called for accelerated implementation of the Kigali financing decision, which is aimed at making the AU self-reliant and less dependent on external partners.
“The over-reliance on external partners for funding compromises the organisation’s independence and its ability to set its own agenda,” Mahama emphasised.
He stressed that Africa’s independence and long-term success rest on its ability to finance its initiatives and take ownership of its future.
While acknowledging the AU’s successes, such as the creation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its contributions to peace and security, Mahama underscored the ongoing challenges Africa faces, including high youth unemployment, food insecurity, climate change, and governance deficits. He called for bold, transformative reforms to address these issues and ensure sustainable development.
President Mahama’s remarks were a call to action for African leaders to reimagine the future of the AU, one that is inclusive, self-reliant, and responsive to the needs of its people, particularly its women and youth.
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