The Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has unanimously endorsed Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama as the region’s candidate for the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) when the rotating chairmanship returns to West Africa in 2027.
The endorsement follows a unanimous recommendation from the ECOWAS Council of Ministers during its 95th ordinary session held in Abuja. The Council proposed President Mahama as the sole candidate from West Africa, highlighting Ghana’s significant contributions to regional integration and its strong international standing.
In a statement, ECOWAS expressed gratitude to member states for their support of Ghana’s candidacy and reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the region’s interests in continental and global organizations.
“[We are] determined to work in a concerted manner to support the candidates of ECOWAS Member States or their nationals in international organizations, including the African Union, to ensure that the interests of ECOWAS continue to be promoted and protected,” the statement read.
The Council urged the Authority of Heads of State and Government to formally adopt the declaration backing President Mahama’s bid during its session on Sunday, December 14, 2025.
This development underscores ECOWAS’ strategy to strengthen West Africa’s influence within the African Union and other international bodies.
