Africa Must Prioritize Youth and Women in Leadership - Mahama

Accra, Ghana - 28 Jan, 2025 - Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama has urged African leaders to prioritize the inclusion of women and young people in leadership roles, emphasizing their crucial role in driving the continent's progress.

Addressing a High-Level Retreat on African Union Institutional Reforms in Nairobi, President Mahama emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in the AU's approach to governance, one that recognizes the importance of women and youth in decision-making.

He noted that Africa's youth, who make up over 60% of the population, are largely absent from policymaking, and urged leaders to institutionalize frameworks that allow young people and women to lead at all levels of governance.

President Mahama also stressed the need for Africa to reduce its reliance on foreign partners and instead mobilize its own resources to fund its development programs.

"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,'' he stated.

"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 added.

Source: Lead News Online