The High Commission of the Republic of Ghana on Monday, 12th January, 2026 facilitated separate meetings between the Lead Campaign of the Trans African Tourism and Unity Campaign, Mr. Ras Mubarak and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone, Hon. Francess P. Alghali, and the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs of Serra Leone, Hon. Nabeela Farida Tunis in Freetown.
During the courtesy calls on the two Ministers in the company of the High Commissioner of Ghana to Sierra Leone, H.E. Senalor K. Yawlui (PhD), the Lead Campaigner, Mr. Ras Mubarak underscored that the campaign is an initiative proudly endorsed by the Government of the Republic of Ghana. According to the Lead Campaigner, on 18th August, 2025, the campaign was launched and included a historic 40,000 km road journey across 39 African countries. The objective of the campaign is to advocate for a transformative vision: a visa-free Africa by 2030.
In his interactions with the two Ministers, the Lead Campaigner averred that the case for a visa-free Africa by 2030 would be a key driver for economic transformation through tourism and trade. Additionally, the political will by the current leaders of Africa to enhance the quest for visa-free Africa and a stronger integration on the continent as posited by Mr. Mubarak, could engender cultural unity and Pan-African Identity, boost global competitiveness and empower the teeming youth on the continent.
The Lead Campaigner again emphasised that a visa-free Africa by 2030 has the potential to make intra-Africa tourism a significant contributor to the economies of African countries and reverse the over reliance on the export of raw materials amid unstable global commodity prices. Mr. Mubarak indicated that tourism contributes over USD190 billion annually to Africa GDP, yet visa restrictions hinder intra-African travel and the potential benefits of tourism to national and continental development.
Responding to the laudable campaign objectives of the campaign, the two Ministers during their separate meetings with the Lead Campaigner expressed the Government of Sierra Leone’s endorsement and support for the visa-free Africa by 2030.
Hon. Francess P. Alghali noted that the vision of the campaign resonated with every true Pan-Africanist and the ideals of the fore runners of Pan-Africanism. Similarly, Hon Nabeela Farida Tunis emphasised that visa-free Africa would indeed be a boost to tourism across the continent and benefit the revenue generation base of most African countries. The Minister for Tourism and Cultural Affairs expressed her readiness to present the case for visa-free Africa to her colleagues Ministers from other African countries across every available platform/forum to galvanise support for the vision.
As part of the courtesy call on the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Lead Campaigner presented a letter addressed to the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, H.E. Brig (Rtd) Dr. Julius Maada Bio. The letter is an appeal for a visa-free Africa by 2030.
Currently, the campaign has visited 31 countries across the north, south, east, west and central parts of Africa. Before coming to Sierra Leone, the Lead Campaigner visited Guinea and would proceed to Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire.
