President Mahama Welcomes Historic Visit by Archbishop of Canterbury as Pan-African Leaders Push for Women’s Rights Ratification

In a landmark diplomatic and religious engagement, President John Dramani Mahama received the Most Reverend Sarah Mullally, the first woman to serve as the Archbishop of Canterbury, at the Jubilee House in Accra on July 27, 2026. This inaugural visit to Africa by the Archbishop forms part of a 10-day tour across the Church of the Province of West Africa. During the meeting, President Mahama congratulated Archbishop Mullally on her historic appointment, describing it as a significant milestone for women in leadership and an inspiration for the Anglican Communion worldwide. The President also expressed his administration's gratitude for the Anglican Church’s long-standing contributions to Ghana’s development, particularly in the sectors of healthcare, education, and social services.

Central to the discussions was the announcement of the Heritage Anglican Cultural Village and Resorts project, a major initiative aimed at preserving the history of the transatlantic slave trade. Archbishop Mullally emphasized that the project is designed to foster reconciliation for the African diaspora and provide a space for reflection on shared history. Accompanied by a delegation of Ghanaian Anglican bishops and the British High Commissioner, Dr. Christian Rogg, the Archbishop’s visit is expected to further solidify the bilateral relationship between Ghana and the United Kingdom, building upon President Mahama’s recent high-level engagements with King Charles III.

The themes of women’s leadership and social justice highlighted during the Archbishop’s visit echo recent calls from the Pan-African Parliament regarding continental protections for women. Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Second Vice-President of the Pan-African Parliament, has been a leading voice in Johannesburg urging African Heads of State to prioritize the ratification and implementation of the African Union (AU) Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls. She stressed that strengthening legal protections is fundamental to achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063 and ensuring that women’s rights are treated as non-negotiable human rights.

Furthering the agenda for gender equity, Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings has called for more sophisticated economic policies, including gender-responsive budgeting and the formal recognition of the economic value of women’s unpaid domestic work. She also issued a cautionary note regarding the digital divide, warning that emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) must be carefully managed to prevent new forms of marginalization against women and girls. These advocacy efforts at the legislative level complement the symbolic progress represented by the presence of leaders like Archbishop Mullally in traditionally male-dominated hierarchies.

As Ghana continues to navigate its role as a regional leader, the convergence of religious diplomacy and pan-African legislative advocacy points toward a future focused on social reconciliation and human rights. The government’s commitment to economic stability and social development, as reiterated by President Mahama, remains intertwined with these broader continental goals. The successful implementation of projects like the Anglican Cultural Village and the adoption of the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women are viewed as critical steps in fulfilling the promise of a more inclusive and prosperous Africa.