President John Dramani Mahama has called on the African Union (AU) to prioritize funding for its Standby Force to enhance the organization’s capacity to address crises, conflicts, and terrorism across the continent.
Speaking during an AU summit, President Mahama highlighted the critical need for financial independence and accountability within the union. He urged member states to ensure that policies and programs translate into meaningful changes for the African people.
“There’s a gap in how we implement our initiatives, and it is disappointing that our policies and programs often fail to deliver real change for our citizens,” he stated.
President Mahama emphasized the need for mechanisms that promote accountability, transparency, and value for money. He underscored the importance of ensuring that every resource allocated is maximized for the benefit of Africans.
“It is essential that we adopt mechanisms that enhance accountability and transparency to ensure value for money. Every resource must be optimized to benefit the African people,” he stressed.
Touching on financial autonomy, the former president reiterated that the AU must reduce its reliance on external partners for funding. He noted that dependence on external funding compromises the organization’s independence and ability to set its own agenda.
“Your Excellencies, one of the core beliefs of reform is achieving financial autonomy. Overreliance on external partners for funding undermines the organization’s independence and its ability to pursue its own priorities,” President Mahama stated.
The AU Standby Force, a continental peacekeeping mechanism designed to respond rapidly to conflicts and emergencies, has faced challenges due to inadequate funding and resources. President Mahama’s call aims to strengthen the AU’s capacity to respond effectively to crises while ensuring that the organization remains accountable to the people it serves.
His remarks come at a time when Africa faces mounting challenges, including conflicts, terrorism, and socio-economic disparities, underscoring the urgent need for a more resilient and self-reliant African Union.
Source: www.kumasimail.com/ J.K Bediako
