AU Day: Ghana Champions Free Movement and Tech Innovation to Unite Africa

The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr James Gyakye Quayson, has urged African leaders and citizens to renew their commitment to Pan-Africanism and work together to address the continent’s economic and social challenges through stronger unity and continental cooperation.

He said this on Monday during the commemoration of this year’s African Union (AU) Day and flag-raising ceremony in Accra.

The Deputy Minister said the vision of African unity championed by the continent’s founding leaders remained relevant as Africa continued to confront economic inequality, unemployment, climate challenges and global marginalisation.

“Today, as we raise the flags of the 54 African states alongside that of the African Union itself, we are reminded that Pan-Africanism remains as relevant now as it was in Nkrumah’s era,” he said.

Mr Quayson paid tribute to Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, describing him as one of the leading architects of African liberation and unity.

He said the government of President John Dramani Mahama remains committed to advancing the African integration agenda through free movement, democratic governance, economic cooperation and people-centred diplomacy.

According to him, Ghana’s newly launched electronic visa system reflected the country’s commitment to making travel, tourism and business across Africa easier and more accessible.

“This initiative is more than a technological reform. It is a practical demonstration of Ghana’s conviction that the dream of African integration must move beyond declarations and into concrete actions,” he noted.

He added that African borders should become “bridges of opportunity and partnership rather than barriers to progress.”

The Deputy Minister also urged Africans to reject pessimism about the continent and instead focus on its youthful population, cultural wealth and human ingenuity.

He called on African leaders and citizens to work together towards building a peaceful, prosperous and united continent that commands respect in the global community.

On his part, the Ambassador of Zimbabwe to Ghana, H.E. Kufa E. Chinoza, said this year’s observance marked the 63rd anniversary of Africa Day, commemorating the formation of the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union.

He also referenced recent global developments, including a United Nations resolution describing the transatlantic slave trade as one of the gravest crimes against humanity, commending Ghana for its role in advancing the resolution with support from CARICOM and other partners.

The 2026 AU celebration is themed “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” placing water and sanitation at the centre of Africa’s development agenda.

Joyce Adwoa Animia Ocran, ISD