The Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP), held a truly forward-looking and substantive meeting, on 20th September 2026, with Her Excellency Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi, the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, in the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Their discussions focused on Ghana’s priority areas when President John Mahama assumes the Chair of the AU in 2027 as contained in Ghana’s AU Chairmanship Strategy Document which was commissioned by President Mahama. They also reviewed the state of the AU and President Mahama’s vision for attaining Agenda 2063.
Their discussions also focused on the strengthening the AU’s institutional structures and sustainable and predictable financing for the AU, and advancing key continental priorities, including Peace and Security, Climate Change, Reparatory Justice Agenda, Regional Integration and Trade, Labour Mobility, Youth Development, and the need to strengthen African ownership of the AU’s programmes and initiatives.
The meeting reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to supporting efforts towards a more financially sustainable, effective and African-led African Union.
Ghana and the AU will additionally strengthen collaboration to offer more impetus and continental solidarity to the Reparatory Justice Agenda following the landmark Ghana-led UN Resolution declaring the transatlantic enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity.
Ghana and the AU are set to lead a number of side-line initiatives in New York, during the 81st Session of the UNGA, including Ghana’s High-Level Side Event on the “Restitution of Cultural Property and Heritage” Pillar of the Reparatory Justice Agenda.
The AU Deputy Chairperson commended Ghana for the inspiring preparation for the President Mahama Chairmanship in 2027 which was concluded six months ahead, and stated that this should become the blueprint, moving forward.