President John Dramani Mahama has indicated that Alan Kyerematen will play a significant role as Ghana prepares to assume the Chairmanship of the African Union (AU) in 2027, following his recent endorsement by ECOWAS leaders.
The signal came through a message delivered by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, at The African Summit in Accra, organised by Mr Kyerematen under the theme “Building A New United Africa”.
Mr Ablakwa, speaking on behalf of the President, highlighted the timely nature of the summit in light of the ECOWAS endorsement secured over the weekend.
“He was endorsed over the weekend by ECOWAS. All the West African presidents endorsed him as the next African Union Chairperson in 2027. So this convening is very timely, very fortuitous, and he will be looking forward to the report so that he can hit the ground running in 2027 when he becomes the Chairperson of the African Union,” Mr Ablakwa stated.
The minister revealed that President Mahama has personally acknowledged Mr Kyerematen’s contributions to African integration.
“And he has asked me to tell our convener, the Honourable Alan Kyerematen, that he will have a very special place when he becomes AU Chairperson because of the work that he’s doing.”
Mr Ablakwa emphasised that Ghana’s upcoming AU leadership will require robust expertise and policy inputs, noting that the structures established by Mr Kyerematen through the Centre for Strategic African Development (CENSADEV) will be invaluable.
“So we are definitely going to need the expertise, the experience, and this very reputable organisation the Honourable Alan Kyerematen has put together as Ghana prepares to assume the leadership of the African Union.”
He described the summit as occurring at a pivotal moment for the continent, marked by both opportunities and challenges.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we gather at a moment of both extraordinary promise and sovereign reality.”
The African Summit focuses on transforming continental leadership into concrete economic and developmental gains for Africa.