Ghana has been elected First Vice Chair of the African Union for 2026 following leadership changes announced at the Union’s 39th Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The decision was taken during the Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, which opened with discussions on peace, governance and water security under the theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
Under the new arrangement, Burundi will serve as Chair of the Union, with Ghana as First Vice Chair, Tanzania as Second Vice, Angola as Rapporteur, while the Third Vice position for North Africa is yet to be confirmed.
President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi takes over as AU Chair from Angola’s leader, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço.
Speaking at the opening session, Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, said the continent must take urgent steps to strengthen its institutions and reduce dependence on external funding.
“Institutional reform and financial self-reliance are now imperative as external funding declines,” he told leaders.
He also warned of growing instability across parts of Africa, pointing to “persistent conflicts, institutional fragility and a resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government,” and urged member states to deepen political and economic integration under Agenda 2063.
President Lourenço, reflecting on his tenure, said Angola had focused on infrastructure, regional integration and trade, including efforts to strengthen the African Continental Free Trade Area.
On security, he stressed that development depends on ending conflict, saying Africa must focus on “silencing the guns” in places such as Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called on African countries to play a more active role globally, urging leaders to move “from reacting to global events to actively shaping the global agenda.”
He also spoke about technology and innovation, noting Ethiopia’s plans in artificial intelligence and digital development.
At the international level, UN Secretary-General António Guterres reaffirmed support for Africa’s priorities, including industrialisation and fair access to financing, and called for reforms to strengthen African representation in global institutions.
The summit also focused heavily on water and sanitation, with leaders describing access to water as central to health, food security and stability across the continent.
For Ghana, the election as First Vice Chair places the country in a key leadership position within the AU’s decision-making structure for 2026, giving it a stronger voice in shaping continental policies on peace, development and integration.
Deliberations at the summit are expected to continue in the coming days, with further discussions on security, economic reforms and water security across Africa.
