President John Dramani Mahama has left Accra for Addis Ababa to attend the 39th Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. The Assembly runs from Saturday, 14 February, to Sunday, 15 February 2026, at AU Headquarters in Ethiopia’s capital. The AU Assembly is the Union’s top decision-making body, where leaders set priorities under Agenda 2063.
Mahama AU Summit agenda and roles
According to the Presidency, Mr Mahama will lead engagements on Reparations, Gender, and Financial Inclusion. He will also co-host several high-level side meetings on the margins of the Assembly. Reparations debates address redress for historical injustices and their economic legacies; Financial Inclusion refers to affordable access to formal savings, payments, and credit. These tracks feature in the AU’s official side-event calendar this weekend.
Side events include ‘Addis Reckoning’ breakfast
On Saturday, the President will host a breakfast event under the Accra Reset initiative, dubbed “Addis Reckoning.” The convening is billed to gather policymakers, economists, development finance leaders, and investors for a practical discussion on renewal and cross-border prosperity. Africa.com is set to livestream the session for wider public access.
Bilateral outreach and a forum with partners
Beyond the Assembly, Mr Mahama will hold bilateral meetings with African leaders and heads of multilateral agencies. He is also slated to take part in an Italy–Africa Forum organized on the sidelines. Such meetings allow leaders to pursue targeted agreements while the Assembly handles the continental agenda.
First Lady’s programme with OAFLAD
The First Lady, Lordina Dramani Mahama, is also in Addis Ababa. She will attend sessions of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), which focuses on health and social protection for women and children. OAFLAD regularly convenes alongside AU summits to align national initiatives with continental goals.
Travel timeline
The Presidency indicates the delegation is due back in Accra on Monday, 16 February, after the close of the Assembly and side events scheduled through the weekend. The AU has confirmed the Assembly dates of 14–15 February 2026.
President John Dramani Mahama’s Addis Ababa mission aligns Ghana with the AU’s 2026 agenda while advancing workstreams on reparations, gender equality, and inclusive finance. The meetings, side events, and bilateral sessions will shape Ghana’s contributions to decisions taken at the continental level
