Accra, Ghana//-Ras Mubarak and seven other members of Trans Africa Tourism and Campaign today began a historic tour across 39 African countries to campaign for a visa-free African continent by 2030.
The campaign and tour led by former Member of Parliament for Kumbungu in the Northern Region of Ghana, Ras Mubarak, which took off in Accra today, would cover a distance of 40,000 kilometres over 163 days.
The tour officially began on Monday, August 18, with its first stop in Lomé, Togo.
Speaking at the launch, Campaign Leader, Ras Mubarak, said they (young Africans) could not wait for the African Union’s Agenda 2063 to achieve a borderless Africa.
“So, we are starting this campaign to achieve visa-free Africa ahead of the AU’s Agenda 2063 target. Eight of us are starting the tour this morning to advocate for borderless travel across the 39 African countries. People are encouraged to join us to draw home the campaign message of visa visa-free Africa”, Mr Ras Mubarak told African Eye Report at the launch.
“This journey is going to take us 163 days, approximately 600 hours of driving or 40,000 kilometres on the road. We will meet with African Heads of Government and address the press in every country we pass through”, he added.
He explained that apart from the visa-free travel advocacy, the campaigners are also pushing for a single African currency and a borderless continent.
Such steps according to Ras Mubarak would significantly strengthen Africa’s economic prospects as well as employments for the teeming African youth.
He: “Our goal is to urge African leaders to adopt one currency, work toward a borderless Africa, and appreciate the enormous impact this will have on our people”.
The Trans Africa Tourism and Campaign is designed not only to advocate for visa-free travel across the continent, but also to engage directly with African leaders and citizens.
Along the route, the team will present letters to Heads of Government, urging them to implement policies that support free movement.
They will also host press conferences, cultural showcases, and stakeholder dialogues to highlight the economic and social benefits of an integrated Africa.
Ghana’s Chief of Staff, Julius Deborah, who performed media launch ahead of the departure, lauded the historic tour and advised the participants to be vigilant during their journey.
While the campaign is a superb effort to unite Africa through tourism and integration, security must remain a top priority, Mr Deborah said.
“I just drew their attention that security is the most important thing because there are bad people all over the world. As much as possible, they should spend the night within towns. Usually, when you spend too much time in the bush, it is risky”.
He further advised the team to adequately prepare for logistical challenges, ensuring they have spare tyres, medical supplies, and other essentials to prevent unnecessary delays.
“I have also prompted them to pay attention to their logistical needs. Make sure you have your spare tyres, jack, medication and others so that if something slows you down, you can change and move on.”
