Ghana is intensifying preparations for President John Dramani Mahama’s assumption of the African Union (AU) Chairmanship in January 2027, with a High-Level Committee of Experts established by the President completing its mandate and submitting five reports to him.
According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who chaired the committee, the group had been tasked with developing a comprehensive framework to guide Ghana’s leadership of the continental body.
Mr Ablakwa in a statement said the committee was established by President Mahama to prepare a Strategy Document, Priority Pillars and Work Programme for his 2027 AU Chairmanship.
“The High-Level Committee of Experts established by President John Mahama to put together a Strategy Document, Priority Pillars and a Work Programme for President Mahama’s 2027 African Union Chairmanship has concluded its mandate and presented Five Reports to President Mahama,” the statement read.
The committee formally handed over its work to President Mahama at the Presidency on Friday, with Ablakwa, as chair, presenting the highlights of the reports.
“It was an honour to hand over the report to President Mahama at the Presidency on Friday as Chair of the Committee and to present highlights.”
Preparatory work
Mr Ablakwa suggested that the extensive preparatory process is intended to ensure that Ghana’s leadership of the AU is not merely ceremonial but produces tangible results for the continent.
He expressed confidence that President Mahama’s tenure as AU Chair will be “transformative and impactful,” attributing that expectation to both the preparatory work undertaken by the committee and the President’s broader vision for Africa.
“President Mahama’s tenure is expected to be transformative and impactful due to the rigorous preparatory work underway and his bold vision for our continent.”
He added that the completion of the committee’s assignment marks an important preparatory milestone ahead of Ghana taking up the continental leadership role in January 2027.
He said the five reports are expected to provide the strategic foundation for Ghana’s priorities and programmes during Mahama’s tenure, including the issues the country intends to champion at the continental level.
Continental leadership
The committee’s work, he said, reflects the government’s effort to use the AU Chairmanship to advance a clearly defined African agenda.
He mentioned that By developing priority pillars and a work programme in advance, Ghana is seeking to enter the chairmanship with established objectives rather than developing its agenda after assuming office.
He also said the process also reinforces President Mahama’s broader emphasis on strengthening Africa’s voice in global affairs, promoting greater self-reliance and ensuring that African countries have greater influence over decisions affecting the continent.
Mr Ablakwa expressed gratitude to the members of the committee for the opportunity to contribute to Ghana’s continental responsibilities.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to serve Ghana and Africa.”
He also conveyed the committee’s best wishes to President Mahama as he prepares to assume the AU Chairmanship.
“The committee conveys best wishes to President Mahama when he assumes the Chair in January 2027.”
The minister ended his statement with the government’s patriotic and pan-African refrain: “For God, Country and Africa.”
With the committee’s mandate now concluded and its five reports submitted, attention will turn to how President Mahama and his administration translate the recommendations into a practical agenda for Ghana’s 2027 leadership of the African Union.
