Nairobi: President John Dramani Mahama has advocated for the African Union's (AU) financial independence. This move, he emphasized, is crucial to liberate the continental body from its dependency on external funding sources.
According to Ghana News Agency, President Mahama delivered this message during his address at the opening session of the AU's Heads of State and Governments special meeting in Nairobi, Kenya. The meeting, a two-day event, is being chaired by Kenyan President William Ruto, who currently holds the position of Chair of the AU Institutional Reforms. The main objective of the Nairobi meeting is to chart a course for implementing radical changes within the AU.
President Mahama stressed the importance of expediting the implementation of the Kigali Decision on Financing the Union. This decision, made by the AU in July 2016, aims to establish a levy on imported goods as a means to fund the AU, thereby reducing its reliance on external partners. Mahama also called for the development of principles that guide AU member states in conducting their affairs to ensure that their policies and programs result in tangible benefits for their populations. He highlighted the need for a mechanism that prioritizes accountability, transparency, and value for money, ensuring that every resource is optimized for the benefit of the African people.
Furthermore, President Mahama identified financial autonomy as a key pillar of the AU's reforms, emphasizing that reliance on external partners for funding compromises the organization's independence and its ability to define its own agenda. He also advocated for increased empowerment of youth and women in leadership roles across all levels of governance, noting that Africa's future hinges on its young population, with over 60 percent being under the age of 25. Despite this demographic advantage, their voices remain largely absent in policymaking processes. Mahama urged the institutionalization of frameworks that empower young people and women to assume leadership roles in governance.
