ECOWAS Endorses President John Mahama as Sole Candidate for AU Chair in 2027
- ECOWAS has unanimously endorsed Ghana's President, John Dramani Mahama, as its sole candidate for the African Union Chairperson position in 2027
- The decision was made during a meeting in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers
- Ghana’s Foreign Minister announced that the Authority of Heads of State and Government will adopt the declaration on Sunday, December 14, 2025
- Emmanuel Ega Abledu, a young NDC activist and former Tein UPSA vice president, shared his views on this in a discussion with YEN.com.gh
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has unanimously endorsed Ghana's President, John Dramani Mahama, as its sole candidate for Chairperson of the African Union (AU) in 2027.
The decision was made at a meeting in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers.
Source: Facebook
Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed this in a social media post on Friday, December 12, 2025.
In the post seen on Facebook, Okudzeto Ablakwa stated that the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS is expected to adopt this declaration on Sunday, December 14, 2025.
The Foreign Affairs Minister extended Ghana's gratitude to the ECOWAS Council of Ministers for endorsing President Mahama's candidacy for the AU Chairperson role.
"ECOWAS Council of Ministers meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, has unanimously endorsed President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana as the sole candidate from ECOWAS for Chairperson of the African Union when the rotating chairmanship reaches West Africa’s turn in 2027. The Authority of Heads of State and Government is expected to adopt this declaration on Sunday," he disclosed.
"I thank my colleague Ministers greatly. Ghana is exceedingly grateful to ECOWAS for the confidence and support for our beloved visionary and Pan-African President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama. Ghana will continue to make Africa proud," he added.
Read the Facebook post below:
What is ECOWAS?
ECOWAS was founded on May 28, 1975, as a regional political and economic union of West African countries.
It was established to promote economic integration, collective self-sufficiency, and peace and security in the region.
Its key goal is to foster cooperation and development, ultimately leading to a full economic and trading union.
Headquartered in Abuja, ECOWAS comprises 15 member states, including Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, and Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast).
The rest are The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
Mahama’s ECOWAS endorsement sparks national pride
Speaking to YEN.com.gh, Emmanuel Ega Abledu, a young NDC activist and former Tein UPSA vice president, said ECOWAS's endorsement of President Mahama was a moment of pride for Ghanaians.
He added that it also shows the massive validation of Ghana's diplomatic stature and President Mahama's personal respect on the continent.
"First, it's a massive validation of Ghana's diplomatic stature and President Mahama's personal respect on the continent. To be unanimously endorsed by your peers in West Africa, a region known for its complex politics, means they trust his experience, his calm demeanour, and his Pan-African vision. They see him as a unifier and a safe pair of hands, especially after his recent successful role as an ECOWAS mediator," Emmanuel said.
"Second, for Ghana, this places us right at the heart of African affairs. If elected, it means our nation will have a direct line in shaping continental policy on issues like security, trade, and governance for the next four years. It elevates our voice. For President Mahama's leadership, it burnishes his legacy not just as a former Ghanaian president, but as a true African statesman. It's an honour we should all, as Ghanaians, support," he added.
Ghanaians react to ECOWAS' endorsement of Mahama
Ghanaians on social media have reacted to President John Dramani Mahama's endorsement as ECOWAS' sole candidate for the AU Chairperson role.
YEN.com.gh has compiled some of the reactions below:
@Kodzo Evans said:
"Ghana is Africa, Africa is Ghana."
@Peter Mwinmaalu Innocent also said:
"Which West African president fits this position if not John Mahama? He is well experienced and a true pan Africanist."
@Sa Dart commented:
"President Mahama is undoubtedly one of the best African leaders of all time. We thank God for H.E John Dramani Mahama's leadership."
Source: Getty Images
Ghanaian soldiers join ECOWAS troops to Benin
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Ghana was set to deploy troops to the ECOWAS Standby Force following the attempted coup in Benin.
The ECOWAS mission aimed to support Benin's government and maintain constitutional order after the coup attempt.
The ECOWAS regional force would comprise troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Côte d’Ivoire, in addition to Ghana.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
