Lusaka – Former Ghanaian MP and Pan Africanist Ras Mubarak is continuing with the Trans Africa Tourism and Unity Campaign after a series of health alerts, road accidents, visa hurdles and logistical barriers disrupted the journey deep in southern Africa.
The campaign set off from Accra with the aim of driving a Ghanaian registered convoy through 39 African countries and back, relying solely on Ghanaian passports. The goal is to demonstrate that Africa is open, safe and accessible, while advancing the call for visa free movement and stronger intra African tourism.
By the time the convoy reached its 22nd country, the team had travelled across West, East and Southern Africa, meeting presidents, vice presidents, prime ministers, kings and numerous immigration officials who eventually cleared them to proceed. Momentum slowed after advice from Ghana’s diplomatic mission cautioned against travelling by road into Ethiopia due to the Marburg virus outbreak. At the time, the convoy was already less than 1,500 kilometres from the Moyale border, forcing a reversal and a lengthy detour through Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia to avoid unsafe routes through the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic.
The journey through Uganda and Rwanda passed without incident, but trouble struck soon after entering Zambia. Four days after crossing Tanzania, and only hours into Zambia, a truck’s reckless manoeuvre on a highway near Chinsali caused the lead vehicle to spin out of control. The car sustained severe damage, towing and repair costs climbed to about 3,783 US dollars, and the campaign was placed on hold for nearly three weeks.
Insurance cover purchased in Zambia failed to provide immediate relief, draining the team’s finances and threatening to end the journey after covering more than 20,000 kilometres. Assistance came from members of the Ghanaian community in Zambia. Sandra Agyeman coordinated towing and repairs, while mechanics in Lusaka worked late into the night. Supporters also provided meals and accommodation as efforts continued to get the convoy moving again.
Once repairs were completed, plans shifted toward driving north through Namibia into Angola, with the option of shipping the vehicle to Accra or Casablanca. These plans were delayed when visas for Namibia and Angola, initially obtained in Accra, expired. Immigration officials advised that new applications be made from the travellers’ country of residence, despite the convoy being deep inside the continent. After sustained engagement, limited single entry transit visas were issued.
Another setback followed when the only ferry linking Cabinda to Soyo, which allows passage within Angola without entering the Democratic Republic of Congo, was closed for long term maintenance. The remaining land route through eastern DRC was ruled out due to insecurity. Quotes to airlift the vehicle to Accra or Morocco came to about 17,400 US dollars.
Rather than abandoning the campaign, the team opted for a longer and more demanding route. The vehicles will be flown to Rabat in Morocco, from where the convoy will drive back to West Africa via Algeria, Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Ghana.
Mubarak said the journey has evolved into a direct challenge to barriers that continue to limit African travel within the continent, despite commitments under the African Continental Free Trade Area. After two weeks grounded in Zambia, the convoy is preparing to resume its mission from North Africa, continuing the campaign for African unity and free movement across borders.
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