Africa’s future: Mahama’s vision for youth, women & AU autonomy

At a recent high-level retreat on the African Union’s (AU) Institutional Reforms in Nairobi, Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama delivered a compelling address that underscored two critical pillars for Africa’s progress: empowering the continent’s youth and women, and securing the AU’s financial independence.

In his speech, Mahama emphasized that Africa’s future is inexorably linked to its young population. With more than 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, the continent’s youth represent not just the workforce of tomorrow, but its decision-makers, leaders, and innovators. “We must institutionalise frameworks that enable them and women to lead at all levels of governance,” Mahama declared, pointing out that the voices of both groups are too often sidelined in the policymaking process. Their inclusion, he argued, is essential for crafting policies that are truly reflective of Africa’s diverse societies and their evolving needs.

Mahama’s call for increased representation of women in leadership roles takes on particular significance in light of recent advancements in Ghana. He highlighted the election of Ghana’s first female vice president as a landmark achievement for the country and a positive step toward inclusive governance. “This is a promising step for us in Ghana,” Mahama said, reaffirming his dedication to the cause of empowering women in leadership.

But the President didn’t stop there. He also made a case for the African Union’s financial autonomy. “We must strive for the AU’s financial autonomy,” Mahama stated, pointing to the Kigali Decision on Financing the Union as a roadmap for reducing the continent’s reliance on external funding. He explained that financial independence would allow the AU to shape its own agenda without external interference, enabling it to focus on key priorities such as accountability, transparency, and creating meaningful change for the African people.

Mahama expressed his appreciation for President William Ruto of Kenya, who hosted the retreat and is spearheading the process of institutional reform within the African Union. The president’s remarks were not only a call to action but a reaffirmation of his commitment to pushing for a more inclusive, independent, and forward-thinking Africa.

As the continent continues to confront its complex challenges, Mahama’s vision for empowering youth and women and advocating for AU financial independence stands as a roadmap for the future. His address at the retreat offers both a challenge and an opportunity—an invitation for leaders across Africa to embrace the potential of its young and female populations, and to take bold steps toward a more autonomous and self-sufficient African Union.