President John Dramani Mahama has called on leaders of the African Union (AU) to develop targeted initiatives that prioritise the inclusion of women and young people in leadership roles.

He emphasised the critical role of these groups in driving Africa’s progress and ensuring a more inclusive and equitable future for the continent.

Addressing a High-Level Retreat on African Union Institutional Reforms at Kenya’s State House in Nairobi, President Mahama underscored the need for a paradigm shift in the AU’s approach to governance.

He stressed that integrating women and the youth into leadership structures would not only enrich decision-making processes but also harness untapped potential essential for Africa’s development.

President Mahama further highlighted the continent’s over-reliance on foreign partners, which he argued undermines the AU’s independence and self-determination.

He called for a renewed commitment to resource mobilisation within Africa, urging member states to take greater ownership of the union’s programmes and reforms.

The retreat provided a platform for leaders to deliberate on institutional reforms needed to strengthen the AU's governance and operational efficiency.

"Africa's future lies in its youth because over 60% of our population is under the age of 25 and yet their voices are largely absent in policymaking."

"We must institutionalise framework that allow our young people and women to lead at all levels of governance and I am happy to report that the last election in Ghana's history, we elected a woman as our Vice President," he stated.