The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ghana on 22nd May 2026, hosted the 63rd Commemoration of African Union Day at its headquarters in Accra. The occasion brought together distinguished diplomats, senior government officials, technical experts, and representatives of non-state actors to reflect upon and deliberate on the African Union’s theme for 2026: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
The commemorative ceremony was formally opened by Ambassador Francis D. Kotia, Coordinating Director for Multilateral Affairs and International Organisations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In his opening address, Ambassador Kotia underscored the timeliness and significance of the 2026 theme, situating water security and sanitation within the broader framework of Africa’s long-term development aspirations under Agenda 2063. He extended a warm welcome to all distinguished guests and set the tone for panel discussion.<\/p>\n
The panel discussion which formed the centrepiece of the event was moderated by Engineer Godfred Asamoah of the Water Resources Commission of Ghana. The panel comprised eminent voices drawn from diplomacy, government, and the private sector notably Her Excellency Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, High Commissioner-Designate of the Republic of Namibia to Ghana; Dr Tony Tsekpetse Akuamoah from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs; and Mr Patrick Apoya, Chief Executive of Skyfox Limited, representing non-state actors.<\/p>\n
The discussion began with an introduction of each panellist area of work and articulated the linkages between their respective mandates regarding this year\u2019s theme.<\/p>\n
The panellists addressed the critical importance of transboundary water management, stressing that the sustainable and equitable use of shared water bodies across the African continent demands robust frameworks as well as multi-dimensional approach of regional cooperation and political goodwill. They underscored that access to safe water and safe sanitation is a fundamental human right, one that must be protected and promoted as a matter of sovereign responsibility and continental solidarity.<\/p>\n
A compelling discourse around water and sanitation was treating waste and sanitation as burdens or problems on the contrary Africa must position them as valuable resources and economic opportunities a paradigm shift essential to mobilising the innovation and investment the continent requires.<\/p>\n
The moderated dialogue also invited the panellists to address critical structural questions: Does Africa suffer from a deficit of policies? Or are the challenges rooted elsewhere? In response, the<\/p>\n
panellists spoke with one voice: Africa does not lack policies. Rather, the continent faces persistent gaps in data collection and management, limited capacity building at institutional and community levels, insufficient collaboration across sectors and borders, and an inadequate culture of innovation and research-driven decision-making. On the other hand, the absence of sustainable financing mechanisms was identified as a primary impediment to realising the objectives of Agenda 2063.<\/p>\n
The panellists further agreed that achieving meaningful and lasting progress on water availability and safe sanitation necessitates a bottom-up approach, one that places traditional authorities and local communities at the heart of planning, implementation, and governance. The integration of indigenous knowledge systems into technical and policy frameworks was highlighted as an invaluable and often under-utilised asset in addressing water and sanitation challenges.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the adoption of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and Integrated Sanitation Resource Management were endorsed as essential frameworks for building the broad-based ownership and commitment required across all levels of society in pursuit of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 goals.<\/p>\n
In conclusion, Mr Tijani Abubakari, Director of the Regional Integration Bureau, Ministry. Made closing remarks, Mr Abubakari expressed appreciation to all panellists, the moderator, and participants for their insightful contributions, and reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to advancing the ideals of African unity, regional integration, and the realisation of a prosperous, sustainable, and equitable Africa as envisioned under Agenda 2063.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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