AU Mid-Year meetings begin in Accra today

The 45th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 6th Mid-Year Coordination Meetings of the African Union (AU) and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) have officially commenced in Accra, today.

These high-profile events, scheduled from July 18 to 21, 2024 will be held at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), under the auspices of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana.

The AU’s theme for 2024 is: “Educate an African fit for the 21st century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality and Relevant Learning in Africa.”

The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, in a short media briefing yesterday, highlighted the significance of the event.

“I have the honour to welcome you all to Accra on this special occasion of the 45th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and by extension to the 6th Mid-Year Coordination Meetings of the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities,” the Deputy Minister stated.

“It may be recalled that the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of States and Government of the African Union, held from 17th to 18th February, 2024 in Addis Ababa, approved for the Republic of Ghana to host the African Union (AU) Mid-Year Meetings in July 2024,” he added.

A National Planning Committee was established in April 2024 to manage the logistical arrangements for the meetings.

This marks a significant milestone for Ghana, as the Deputy Minister noted, “It has been seventeen (17) long years since the Republic of Ghana had the privilege to host the African Union Summit in Accra, under the able leadership of Ghana’s former President, John Agyekum Kuffuor. This was in July 2007.”

The Deputy Minister underscored the historical context of the AU summit in Ghana, reflecting on the progress made since the 2007 summit.

“At that time, our current President, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, was then the Foreign Minister when Ghana had the distinct honour of hosting the AU Summit of Heads of State.

“That Summit shaped the trajectory of our Union and served as a reminder of the progress we’ve made as a continent and the challenges we have overcome,” he said.

The Deputy Minister expressed optimism for the outcomes of the meetings, stating, “It is our fervent hope that through this event, the Republic of Ghana would once again demonstrate its commitment to the acceleration of the integration agenda of the continent and also help to promote continental unity.”

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