Former President of Ghana, John Mahama, has called for the creation of a Pan-African legal framework that reflects the continent’s values and addresses its unique challenges.
Speaking at the Nigeria Bar Association Annual General Conference in Lagos, Mahama emphasised the importance of adapting legal education and practice to serve the needs of an integrated African market. He highlighted the need for legal expertise in international trade law, cross-border disputes, and comparative African law as essential to the continent’s progress.
Mahama urged African lawyers to play a crucial role in tackling the structural issues that hinder development across the continent. In his address titled “The Future of Africa Amid Rising Security, Economic and Political Challenges,” he stressed that lawyers must not only advocate for change but also shape legal frameworks that support economic diversification and growth.
He underscored the significance of the protocol on the free movement of persons as not only an economic necessity but also a fulfillment of the Pan-African dream. Mahama called on legal professionals to advocate for and implement legal systems that facilitate the free movement of people and goods across African borders while addressing security concerns.
“You must work relentlessly to harmonize immigration laws, recognize professional qualifications across member states, and establish systems for the mutual recognition of judgments and arbitral awards,” Mahama said. He also noted that the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area presents both new opportunities and responsibilities for the legal profession.
Mahama further addressed the recent political unrest and coups in Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, attributing these events to deep-rooted issues such as injustice, alienation, and marginalization. He pointed out that these crises have exposed the limitations of current diplomatic and interventionist strategies and disrupted stability in the sub-region.
“We must ask ourselves: What is the future of Africa? What challenges threaten that future? And what role do legal professionals have in securing it?” Mahama reflected. He emphasized the need to confront the structural weaknesses that make African economies vulnerable, exacerbated by global events, and called for solutions that reduce reliance on commodity exports and essential goods imports.
At the same event, Senate President Godswill Akpabio encouraged Nigerians to adopt a new mindset to rebuild the country, noting that “yesterday’s mindset brought us to where we are today, and today’s mindset will determine our future.” He urged legal practitioners to continue advancing, embracing the future with open hearts and a commitment to positive change in Africa.
“As we gather, let us recognize that our strength lies not just in our numbers but in our unity. We are a formidable force for progress in Africa and must reflect on our shared commitment to rebuilding our nations,” Akpabio concluded.