President John Dramani Mahama has signalled a key role for Alan Kyerematen as Ghana prepares to assume a leadership position within the African Union, following his endorsement by West African leaders as the next Chairperson of the continental body in 2027.
The endorsement, secured over the weekend from ECOWAS heads of state, positions Ghana to play a more influential role in shaping Africa’s political and socio-economic agenda.
Speaking on behalf of the President at The African Summit convened by Alan Kyerematen in Accra, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the endorsement makes the timing of the summit particularly strategic.
“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.”
According to Ablakwa, President Mahama believes the ideas and policy direction emerging from the summit will be critical as Ghana prepares for continental leadership.
He further revealed that the President has conveyed a personal message of recognition to the convener of the summit, Alan Kyerematen, noting that his work on African integration will not go unnoticed.
“And he has asked me to tell our convener, the Honourable John Alan Kyeremanten, that he will have a very special place when he becomes AU Chairperson because of the work that he’s doing.”
Ablakwa stressed that Ghana’s leadership at the African Union will require deep expertise, institutional strength and credible policy input, adding that the structures being built by Mr Kyeremanten through the Centre for Strategic African Development (CENSADEV) will be essential.
“So we are definitely going to need the expertise, the experience, and this very reputable organisation the Honourable John Kyeremanten has put together as Ghana prepares to assume the leadership of the African Union.”
He noted that the summit comes at a critical juncture for the continent, as Africa confronts both opportunity and constraint.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we gather at a moment of both extraordinary promise and sovereign reality.”
The African Summit is being held under the theme “Building A New United Africa”, with a focus on translating continental leadership into tangible economic and development outcomes.
