Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has confirmed that ECOWAS Heads of State and Government have unanimously endorsed the earlier resolution of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, formally backing President John Dramani Mahama as the sole West African candidate for Chairperson of the African Union in 2027.
The decision marks the final and most decisive stage of regional approval, effectively clearing all procedural hurdles and positioning President Mahama as the AU Chairperson-in-waiting when the rotating continental leadership reaches West Africa.
According to Hon. Ablakwa, the endorsement by ECOWAS Presidents represents overwhelming regional confidence in President Mahama’s leadership and statesmanship.
He described the outcome as a major diplomatic breakthrough for Ghana and the wider subregion, noting that the collective decision reflects unity of purpose among West African leaders. With the resolution now fully adopted at the highest political level, Ghana’s candidacy has moved from proposal to certainty within the ECOWAS bloc.
Commitment to Expectations
President Mahama, responding to the endorsement, expressed deep appreciation to his fellow Heads of State and Government for the confidence reposed in him. He assured his peers and the broader African community that he would strive to meet what he described as the legitimate and high expectations of the continent.
His message conveyed both gratitude and a sense of responsibility, signalling readiness to serve Africa at a critical moment in its political and economic evolution.
The endorsement builds on the initial decision taken during the 95th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, held in Abuja, Nigeria. That meeting laid the foundation for Ghana’s emergence as the region’s consensus choice, marking a significant diplomatic milestone for both Ghana and West Africa.
The Council’s recommendation was anchored in a detailed declaration that carefully outlined the legal, political, and strategic basis for supporting Ghana’s bid.
The declaration referenced the ECOWAS Revised Treaty, particularly Articles 10, 11, and 12, which establish the Council of Ministers and define its responsibilities. These provisions guided the Council’s deliberations and reinforced the legitimacy of the process that led to Ghana’s endorsement.
The document noted that Ghana’s request for support was assessed in light of the country’s longstanding and respected role within the ECOWAS community.
The declaration further affirmed that Ghana remains a key contributor to the bloc’s international standing, citing its consistent engagement in regional integration efforts, diplomatic initiatives, and continental development.
ECOWAS Ministers acknowledged Ghana’s track record in advancing collective interests and securing representation for the subregion in important continental and global institutions. This record, the Council concluded, justified unified support for Ghana’s bid to lead the African Union.
By unanimously adopting the resolution, ECOWAS Heads of State and Government sent a clear signal of regional solidarity and strategic intent. The decision reflects a broader determination within the bloc to speak with one voice on matters of continental leadership, ensuring that West Africa’s influence within the African Union is both visible and effective.
For many analysts, the endorsement demonstrates ECOWAS’s confidence in President Mahama’s experience, particularly his previous continental engagements and his reputation as a consensus builder.
Call to Action
Public reaction to the announcement has underscored expectations surrounding Ghana’s prospective chairmanship. Richard Apau, a System Analyst at the African Union Counter Terrorism Centre, noted that the endorsement confirmed a prediction he had made months earlier.
“As far back as 15 February 2025, I indicated that H.E John Dramani Mahama will be elected AU Chairman for the year 2027,” he said. His comments reflect a view among some observers that the outcome was the culmination of sustained diplomatic groundwork rather than a sudden development.
Beyond the symbolism of the endorsement, Mr. Apau emphasised the importance of impact during the one-year AU chairmanship. He argued that Ghana’s focus should be on translating leadership into tangible outcomes for the continent.
In his view, a key priority should be positioning Accra as a central hub for African economic activity, alongside contributing meaningfully to efforts to address insecurity in West Africa, particularly in the Sahel region. These perspectives mirror broader continental expectations that the AU Chairperson’s role should be both visible and results-oriented.
For Ghana, the unanimous ECOWAS endorsement reinforces its image as a stabilising and influential actor within the subregion. It also places the country at the centre of continental attention ahead of 2027, with heightened expectations regarding diplomacy, peacebuilding, and economic leadership.
President Mahama’s assurance that he will rise to these expectations suggests an awareness of the responsibilities that accompany such a role. As the African Union prepares for future leadership transitions, ECOWAS’s early and unified decision provides clarity and certainty within the regional bloc.
It allows Ghana and its partners to begin shaping priorities well ahead of time, ensuring that West Africa’s turn at the helm of the AU is marked by coherence and purpose. With all regional hurdles now cleared, President Mahama’s path to the AU Chairmanship stands firmly backed by the collective will of ECOWAS.
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