The African Union is pushing for an increase in member state's contributions as budgetary deliberations for the year 2022 begins.

According to the Union Member, states contributed only 23 percent to the 2021 budget, 52 percent below the AU’s Projections.

But Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway wants the Union to focus on ensuring prudent management of member states contributions, stressing some countries are still grappling with the impact of covid-19 on their economies.

Addressing members of a subcommittee on general supervision and coordination on budgetary, financial, and administrative matters, which are currently meeting here in the capital to review the AU’s budget proposal for next.

Shirley Ayorkor Botchway said, "It is important that public finances are managed prudently to ease hardship and enable investment in critical sectors for growth; I hope that you will be guided by the AU golden rules of the proper management of the AU’s Finances adopted in January 2018 as you discuss the 2022 budget for the AU and its organs."

"As member states, we would like to see value for the contributions we make, value in terms of the impact of the programs, and projects we roll out and implement on the continent and the lives of our people."

She also wants the Union to ensure all member states are fully represented on the commission and not just a selected few.

"Like many of our member states, government of Ghana is particular about the competencies, skills and efficiency of officers and staffs of the Union.

"We want to see the quota policy respected to ensure that all member states are fully represented on the commission and not just a selected few.