By Hafsa Obeng
Accra, Feb. 7, GNA – The African Forum for Muslim Councils (AFMC) has adopted far-reaching resolutions and a clear roadmap aimed at strengthening its institutional effectiveness ahead of its planned Extra-Ordinary General Assembly (EGA) in Abuja, Nigeria.
The resolutions were adopted at the AFMC Annual Review and Planning Meeting held from January 24 to 26, 2026, at the AFMC Offices located at the headquarters of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC).
The meeting was chaired by His Eminence Sheikh Dr Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, Chairman of AFMC and Mufti of Uganda, with support from his deputies.
They were Sheikh Muhammad Amir Kpakpo Addo, Secretary-General of the Federation of Muslim Councils, Ghana, and Executive Secretary of the Inter-Religious Council of Ghana, and Sheikh Moemedi Hasan Lentswe, President of the Botswana Muslim Supreme Council.
A statement issued to the Ghana News Agency on Friday in Accra said participants reviewed the AFMC’s institutional progress, challenges and operational status, deliberated on the concept paper for the Abuja EGA, and considered reports on finance, strategic planning and constitutional matters.
As part of the general resolutions, the meeting expressed appreciation to the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) for hosting and sponsoring the meeting.
The AFMC Secretariat was mandated to issue official letters of appreciation to the host councils and participating member councils.
The statement said the meeting formally adopted and validated the agenda, deliberations and outcomes of the Annual Review and Planning Meeting.
On institutional performance, the comprehensive AFMC status report was adopted as the official performance assessment, with identified challenges expected to guide priority corrective actions.
The Secretariat was tasked to develop a corrective action framework, submit quarterly progress reports, and strengthen institutional monitoring mechanisms.
Regarding the Abuja Extra-Ordinary General Assembly, the meeting approved in principle the EGA concept paper, describing the Assembly as a strategic milestone for AFMC’s governance, restructuring and continental repositioning.
A dedicated organising committee is to be constituted immediately, with the Secretariat coordinating logistics and programme development with the Nigerian host council.
The meeting also focused on financial governance and sustainability, endorsing the current financial status report and highlighting the urgent need for resource mobilisation.
Proposals discussed included enforcing subscription fees by member councils and exploring the remittance of a percentage of Zakah collections to support AFMC activities.
A Finance and Resource Mobilisation Taskforce is to be established to implement diversified funding strategies, strengthen member contributions and institutionalise regular financial reporting.
On strategic planning, the meeting reaffirmed the AFMC Strategic Plan as the guiding framework for action, with priority pillars to be highlighted at the Abuja EGA.
The Secretariat was directed to undertake a strategic plan review or mid-term alignment where necessary and translate priorities into annual operational plans.
The meeting further acknowledged the need for constitutional refinement to align with AFMC’s evolving mandate.
A constitutional review roadmap is to be developed, with proposed amendments circulated to member councils ahead of the Abuja EGA for consultation and final adoption.
Participants resolved to strengthen AFMC’s communication, visibility and stakeholder engagement through a comprehensive communication strategy, including official communiqués and briefing notes for partners, observers and diplomatic missions.
The AFMC Secretariat was mandated to coordinate, implement and monitor all adopted resolutions, supported by an implementation matrix, timelines and regular virtual coordination meetings leading up to the Abuja EGA.
The meeting reaffirmed participation in national and continental engagements as part of AFMC’s strategic visibility agenda and approved the opening of the first AFMC Regional Coordinating Office in the Republic of South Africa to serve the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
As immediate action points, the Secretariat is expected within 30 days to circulate the official meeting report, activate Abuja EGA committees, commence member consultations, initiate fundraising and logistics, and organise the launch of the SADC regional office.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe