Ghana attaches particular importance to sustainable African-owned financing of peace – Mahama

Ghana emphasized the critical significance of sustainable, predictable, and African-owned financing for the stability and security of the African continent, according to President John Dramani Mahama. He highlighted the necessity of early warning systems that trigger timely and predictable responses, emphasizing the importance of resources being readily available.

Speaking at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Luanda, Angola on August 30, Mahama stressed that Africa continues to grapple with persistent and evolving conflicts, despite the established continental mechanisms.

Mahama expressed the country's satisfaction with the progress made in operationalizing the African Union Peace Fund, aiming to raise its capitalization towards the $1 billion target. He called for the swift implementation of the Peace Fund resource mobilization strategy, including the effective utilization of the 0.2 percent import levy, and the enhancement of resource mobilization from African financial institutions, the private sector, and other African sources.

Ghana acknowledged the crucial role of predictable and sustainable international financing for African-led peace support operations. They welcomed the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719 of 2023, which established a framework for financing AU-led peace support operations through assessed contributions. Mahama encouraged continued efforts to operationalize this framework in line with African ownership, accountability, and shared responsibility for maintaining international peace and security.

Ghana believes that conflict prevention should be an integral part of their broader development agenda. They stressed the need for early warning systems not only to identify imminent threats but also to detect and address underlying grievances. Burundi's President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who chairs the African Union, asserted that lasting African ownership of the peace and security agenda hinges on predictable, sustainable, and flexible African funding.

He called for the strengthening of the African Union Peace Fund, accelerating its capitalization to provide the necessary resources to match Africa's ambitions.

Ndayishimiye emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation among the African Union, regional economic communities and mechanisms, member states, the United Nations, and strategic partners. He stressed that African solutions to African problems should remain the focal point of their work.