Former Member of Parliament and renowned Pan-Africanist, Ras Mubarak, is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative — the Trans African Tourism and Unity Campaign — to promote intra-African travel, economic collaboration, and cultural integration.
The campaign, set to begin on August 18, 2025, will see Mubarak and a team of volunteers embark on a 163-day road trip across 39 African countries, aiming to highlight the urgent need for a visa-free Africa and stronger unity among African nations.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Melody 91.1 FM’s PM Jam with host Haruna Babangida, Ras Mubarak described the campaign as “a selfless journey inspired by the vision of African greats like Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Julius Nyerere.” The team will be traveling over 40,000 kilometers by road, meeting with government officials, media stakeholders, and ordinary citizens to promote free movement of people, trade, and ideas across the continent.
“If Africans can’t travel freely within Africa, how do we expect to build a unified, self-sufficient continent?” Mubarak asked. “This journey is about waking our leaders and ourselves up to that reality.”
Promoting African Solutions to African Challenges
The campaign advocates for:
- Implementation of visa-free policies across the continent
- Support for intra-African tourism and trade
- Reduction of travel taxes and hotel costs to boost tourism
- Greater intelligence sharing between African nations for security
- Cultural and language exchange to foster unity
“Tourism isn’t just for fun,” Mubarak said. “It drives local economies, creates jobs, and helps us appreciate each other. Countries like Kenya and Barbados thrive on tourism — so can we.”
Not Just Talk — A Bold Action Plan
The campaign’s uniqueness lies in its method of travel — by road, through deserts, mountains, and challenging terrains — a symbolic representation of Africa’s hurdles and hope. While some crossings will require ferries, the trip is over 99% by road, aimed at gaining attention from African leaders and global media alike.
“You can’t ignore someone who drove thousands of kilometers to deliver a message,” Mubarak noted.
The journey includes stops in both English and French-speaking nations. With language barriers anticipated, interpreters and multilingual volunteers are already on board to ensure effective communication.
Institutional Endorsements and Grassroots Support
The campaign has already received endorsement from the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Support is also pouring in from Africans across the diaspora — from hotel owners in Gambia to volunteers from France and the UK.
Mubarak emphasized that this is not a political campaign, but a Pan-African movement driven by ordinary Africans for the next generation.
“I’m not doing this because I want to travel — I’ve been to over 85 countries,” he said. “I’m doing this so our children and grandchildren can move freely, study, work, and live across Africa.”
Call for Support
The campaign is calling on individuals, corporate bodies, and governments to support through:
- Cash donations to cover fuel, border costs, and logistics
- In-kind support such as vehicles, accommodation, meals, or equipment
- Hashtag activism using #OpenAfrica and #OpenOpportunities
Interested supporters or those wanting to join part of the journey can contact the organizers via WhatsApp or phone at 0244 350 462 or reach out through Melody FM, which is an official media partner for the Western Region of Ghana.
The Trans African Tourism and Unity Campaign is more than a road trip. It is a rallying cry for Africa to rise, unify, and build its future. As Ras Mubarak and his team set off from Accra in August, the continent — and indeed the world — will be watching.