Chief of Staff to receive Trans Africa Unity campaign after 160-day continental journey
The Chief of Staff, Mr Julius Debrah, is expected to receive members of the Trans Africa Tourism and Unity Campaign on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the Independence Square in Accra, as the pan-African initiative concludes a historic transcontinental journey.
The campaign team is scheduled to arrive in Accra at 9am, ahead of a formal engagement with the Chief of Staff at 9:45am, followed by a press address at 10am.
Led by former Kumbungu Member of Parliament, Ras Mubarak, the campaign has travelled through 31 African countries in just under 160 days, covering vast distances by road in two vehicles. The journey began in Ghana in August 2025 and has taken the team across West, Central, Southern and Eastern Africa.
The initiative seeks to promote tourism, cultural exchange and deeper continental integration, with a central message focused on the urgent need for African unity. Organisers say true integration can only be achieved by removing barriers that restrict the movement of people, goods and ideas across the continent.
“Our message rings clearer than ever: Africa must unite now. True unity begins with dismantling barriers to allow the seamless flow of people and goods,” Ras Mubarak said.
The Trans Africa Tourism and Unity Campaign is advocating for a visa-free Africa for Africans by 2030, a goal aligned with the African Union’s long-term vision of an integrated and prosperous continent under Agenda 2063.
Background to the initiative shows that the campaign, spearheaded by Ras Mubarak, originally set out on a 163-day journey across 39 African countries, covering an estimated 40,000 kilometres. The journey, which began at the Black Star Square in Accra, involved engagements with political leaders, civil society organisations and citizens, as well as cultural showcases and media briefings along the route.
Before the team’s departure last year, the Chief of Staff, Mr Julius Debrah, publicly commended the initiative but urged participants to place a premium on safety. “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 cautioned.
He also advised the team to adequately prepare for logistical challenges associated with long-distance travel. “Make sure you have your spare tyres, jack, medication and others so that if something slows you down, you can change and move on,” he said.
The campaign is backed by the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and supported by corporate and civil society partners. Organisers say it is designed to amplify calls for free movement, economic integration and shared prosperity across Africa.
Ras Mubarak has stressed that the vision goes beyond visa-free travel. “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,” he said.
He further argued that Africa’s population of about 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion provide a strong case for deeper intra-African trade and mobility. “If we are trading more amongst ourselves, if we are travelling in each other’s countries without restrictions, we will be able to create more jobs for African sons and daughters. What is in our best interest as Africans? Our best interest is to make sure our people prosper. And the only way… is through trade, open borders, and a united Africa,” he added.
The return of the campaign to Accra marks a symbolic moment for organisers, who hope their message will continue to resonate with African leaders and citizens as the push for a borderless continent gathers momentum.
