A delegation from the African Union, headed by Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, paid a courtesy call on President John Dramani Mahama in Accra today. The meeting marked the President’s transition to the AU Chairmanship, scheduled for January.
Youssouf welcomed the chance to speak with Mahama about key continental issues and pledged full support for the new Chair as he takes office. The delegation highlighted Mahama’s past advocacy for reparative justice and his commitment to reforming Africa’s financial institutions.
Central to the discussion was the AU’s quest for financial self‑reliance. Mahama urged member states to implement the Union’s 0.2% levy on eligible imports, citing ECOWAS’s 0.5% levy as a successful model. “It’s not government money to the AU; it’s the people’s money. Government is only a collecting agency,” Mahama said.
The President also briefed the delegation on the Accra Reset Initiative, which aims to strengthen Africa’s sovereignty and resilience through enhanced vaccine production, broader access, and stronger health systems. He reiterated the need to address the continent’s debt portfolio by exploring effective treatment approaches and sustainable management mechanisms.
Both leaders touched on regional security and intra‑African relations. Youssouf praised Mahama’s efforts to bridge divides between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States, and commended his leadership in advancing the AU’s reparations agenda worldwide.
Moving forward, Mahama pledged to engage other African leaders to secure full support for the 0.2% levy’s implementation, a step he believes will underpin the Union’s future direction constructively.
