Ghana has thrown its weight behind the Trans African Tourism and Unity Campaign, a bold initiative to eliminate visa restrictions for African citizens traveling within the continent, announced the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Led by former Ghanaian MP and broadcaster Ras Mubarak, the campaign aims to unlock Africa’s economic and cultural potential by promoting intra-African tourism, trade, and cross-cultural connections.
The endorsement aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which seeks greater political and economic integration across Africa. Despite the promise of frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), visa restrictions remain a significant barrier to the free movement of people, hindering business opportunities and African unity.
Currently, only a few countries offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to all African citizens, with bureaucratic and political challenges slowing progress.
The campaign has partnered with major media outlets, including Ghana’s Graphic Communications Group Limited, Nigeria’s New Mail Online, EIB Network, Asaase Radio, Eyewitness News Sierra Leone, and Woezor TV, to amplify its #OpenAfrica and #OpenOpportunities messaging.
By prioritizing tourism as a driver of economic growth and unity, the initiative urges African governments to view borders as gateways for opportunity rather than control.
With intra-African tourism lagging despite global rebounds, a visa-free Africa could stimulate local economies and foster mutual understanding. The campaign’s next steps include public engagement, digital mobilization, and lobbying for broader governmental support across the continent.
