On April 28, 2026, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, Chairperson of the Tana Forum Board and former President of the Republic of Ghana, hosted a high-level meeting in Accra. The session convened Board members, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and the Tana Forum Secretariat from the Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) to advance preparations for the upcoming 12th Tana Forum.

The gathering featured distinguished Board members, including H.E. Catherine Samba-Panza, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, H.E. Dr. Lassina Zerbo, Amb. Tekeda Alemu, H.E. Michelle Ndiaye, and Prof. Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba. Also in attendance were H.E. Hadera Abera and H.E. Zerihun Abebe, representing Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Deliberations focused on pivotal decisions regarding the theme and scheduling of the Forum, which is set to take place in Ethiopia. Anticipation continues to build as the Secretariat prepares for the official announcement of the theme and the intensive planning phases in the months ahead.

As the Tana Forum Secretariat, the Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) extends its sincere gratitude to H.E. President John Dramani Mahama for his gracious hospitality and leadership in hosting this productive session.