Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has held discussions with the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi, ahead of Ghana’s assumption of the AU Chairmanship in 2027.
The meeting took place on September 20, 2026, on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The discussions focused on Ghana’s priority areas for its 2027 AU Chairmanship, as outlined in the country’s AU Chairmanship Strategy Document commissioned by President John Dramani Mahama.
Mr Ablakwa and Ambassador Haddadi also reviewed the state of the AU and President Mahama’s vision for advancing the objectives of Agenda 2063.
Key issues discussed included strengthening the AU’s institutional structures and securing sustainable and predictable financing for the continental body.
They also discussed continental priorities such as peace and security, climate change, reparatory justice, regional integration and trade, labour mobility and youth development.
The two sides further stressed the need to strengthen African ownership of the AU’s programmes and initiatives to make the organisation more effective and financially sustainable.
Ghana and the AU are also expected to deepen collaboration on the Reparatory Justice Agenda, following Ghana’s leadership in securing a United Nations resolution recognising transatlantic enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity.
As part of the collaboration, Ghana and the AU will lead several side events in New York during the 81st UNGA, including Ghana’s high-level side event on the restitution of cultural property and heritage.
Ambassador Haddadi commended Ghana for its preparation towards President Mahama’s 2027 AU Chairmanship, noting that the strategy was completed six months ahead of schedule.
She further suggested that Ghana’s preparation could serve as a blueprint for future AU chairmanships.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Mavis Fantevi
