Former Ghanaian legislator Ras Mubarak has concluded a 40,000-kilometer journey across 23 African nations to advocate for visa-free continental travel, urging President Yoweri Museveni to champion the initiative among regional leaders. The Trans African Tourism and Unity Campaign representative believes Uganda's head of state possesses sufficient political influence to accelerate implementation of unrestricted movement policies, potentially decades ahead of the African Union's 2063 timeline.
Mubarak highlighted that restrictions on intra-African travel remain among the world's most stringent, while the continent's tourism sector generates approximately 3.3 trillion dollars annually. He argued that eliminating entry barriers would create employment opportunities and reduce dependence on commodity exports vulnerable to international price fluctuations.
Isa Kato, representing the Uganda Tourism Association, endorsed the campaign and emphasized that increased visitor access could foster regional peace by reducing prejudices between communities. The initiative seeks to revive pan-African ideals first promoted by independence leaders, including Kwame Nkrumah and Gamal Abdel Nasser, who envisioned integrated transport systems and unrestricted movement during a 1961 gathering in Casablanca.
Mubarak highlighted that restrictions on intra-African travel remain among the world's most stringent, while the continent's tourism sector generates approximately 3.3 trillion dollars annually. He argued that eliminating entry barriers would create employment opportunities and reduce dependence on commodity exports vulnerable to international price fluctuations.
Isa Kato, representing the Uganda Tourism Association, endorsed the campaign and emphasized that increased visitor access could foster regional peace by reducing prejudices between communities. The initiative seeks to revive pan-African ideals first promoted by independence leaders, including Kwame Nkrumah and Gamal Abdel Nasser, who envisioned integrated transport systems and unrestricted movement during a 1961 gathering in Casablanca.
