Ghana has hosted the 27th Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU), dedicated to financing the Union, with a call on Member States to strengthen domestic resource mobilisation and reduce the continent’s dependence on external funding.
The meeting, held in Accra on Friday, 13th November 2026, brought together Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Finance, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Heads of AU Organs and Institutions, Heads of African Multilateral Financial Institutions and other distinguished delegates to deliberate on sustainable financing mechanisms for the Union.
Welcoming participants, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP), called on African countries to take greater ownership of the Union’s financial future, stressing that the continent’s political independence must be matched by financial sovereignty.
He highlighted Ghana’s support for reforms aimed at strengthening the Union’s financial sustainability, institutional efficiency and accountability. He also underscored the importance of strengthening African financial institutions and investing in peace and security.
The Minister further announced Ghana’s commitment to advancing the establishment of African Union financial institutions and its intention to host an Extraordinary Summit on African Financial Institutions in Accra in 2027.
In his statement, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, emphasised the need for Member States to translate their commitment to African sovereignty into practical action through sustainable financing and collective responsibility.
He stressed that Africa’s sovereignty must not only be expressed through declarations but must also be built, organised and financed by its Member States.
Delivering his closing remarks, Hon. Ablakwa described the session as successful, commending Member States for their frank deliberations and renewed commitment to financing the African Union.
He highlighted the willingness of several Member States, including Ghana, to strengthen their financial contributions to the Union and urged countries to translate their commitments into concrete action.
The Minister expressed appreciation to participating delegations, the technical teams and all stakeholders who contributed to the successful organisation of the meeting.
He concluded by emphasising that Africa must take responsibility for financing its own development priorities, reaffirming the importance of Pan-Africanism, collective responsibility and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The session reaffirmed the importance of African ownership, sustainable financing and collective action in building a financially independent and effective African Union.