Youth Without Borders (YWB) Ghana, an NGO with focus on empowering young people, has urged Ghanaians and leaders of other African countries to endorse the candidature of Ambassador Kwesi Quartey as Deputy Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission.

In a press statement, YWB indicated that the experience of Mr Quartey in his diplomatic career in various capacities in Ghana’s Embassies and High Commissions in Cotonou, Cairo, Brussels, Havana, London, and the Ghana Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York makes him the most suited for the role.

The group stated that the experience, skills, and other qualities Mr Quartey has garnered in his role as secretary to former President John Mahama, his network with African heads of state and the influential role he played as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration gives him an upper hand in driving the agenda of the AU Commission.

Below is the full statement:

The Patron, Board of Directors, Management and the entire members of Youth Without Borders Ghana call on the Government of Ghana, leaders at all levels, the people of Ghana, both home and overseas, African heads of state and Government and the people of Ghana and Africa to support and elect Ambassador Kwesi Quartey as the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

We at Youth Without Borders Ghana fully support his candidature and we believe that at end of the 28th Summit of Heads of State and Government currently ongoing at the African Union (AU) Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the mantle will be handed over to him as he so desires. Similarly, we entreat all stakeholders to extend the courtesies given to Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni and Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas to Ambassador Quartey. The interest of Ghana and Africa must at all times reign supreme.

Youth Without Borders Ghana believes that the experiences of Ambassador Quartey in the course of his diplomatic career, which spans a period of 35 years, makes him the best candidate for the job. Kwesi Quartey served in various capacities in Ghana’s Embassies and High Commissions in Cotonou, Cairo, Brussels, Havana, London and the Ghana Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.

We believe that his recent role as Secretary to Ghana’s fourth democratic President John Dramani Mahama in the Fourth Republic and having served as Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, his contributions towards the development of West Africa and the continent as a whole will enable him deliver excellently and drive Agenda 2063 – the Africa we want and sustainable development for Africa.

The position of Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) requires tact diplomacy and advocacy. Ambassador Quartey’s role as Ghana’s Ambassador to Ethiopia as well as the Permanent Representative to the African Union and the United Nations’ Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) with concurrent accreditation to Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Eritrea, Djibouti, and Rwanda and its relevance to the AUC cannot be overemphasised.

As a youth development and empowerment organisation, we advocate increased youth participation in AU activities, create and empower an AU Youth Directorate to enable them champion the African youth development agenda. We also expect to see a strong collaboration with the Pan African Youth Union (PYU) and other continental youth groups to be able to work together towards the realisation of the African vision of a united, peaceful and prosperous continent.

Youth Without Borders (YWB) Ghana once again wishes Ambassador Kwesi Quartey the very best and believes he can play a vital role in ensuring an effective AUC, AU and Africa as a whole.

Signed:

King David Cartey
Director, Communications & Public Affairs