The ECOWAS Council of Ministers meeting at meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, has unanimously endorsed President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana as the sole candidate from ECOWAS for chairperson of the African Union when the rotating chairmanship gets to West Africa’s turn in 2027.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who announced this on Facebook on Friday, December 12, said the Authority of Heads of State and government of ECOWAS is expected to adopt this declaration on Sunday.
He extended Ghana’s appreciation to the ECOWAS ministers for this decision.
“Ghana is exceedingly grateful to ECOWAS for the confidence and support for our beloved visionary and Pan-African President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama”, he posted.
The AU Chairmanship involves two main roles: the Chairperson of the AU (rotating Head of State) for a year, focusing on high-level leadership, and the Chairperson of the AU Commission (CEO/Administrator), elected for four years to run daily operations, with elections requiring a two-thirds majority vote from member states.
The Chairperson of the Commission, elected by the Assembly, acts as the AU’s CEO, legal representative, manages finances, implements policies, and reports to the Executive Council, driving the continental agenda.