Former Kumbungu MP Ras Mubarak has called on African leaders to accelerate efforts toward a borderless continent, arguing that deeper regional integration would boost trade, tourism, employment, and economic growth across Africa.
Speaking on A1 Radio, the Borderless Africa advocate said Africa’s population of about 1.5 billion people represented a massive economic opportunity if countries reduced border restrictions and strengthened intra-African cooperation.
“With unity comes prosperity for our African people. Africa has a population of 1.5 billion people, and that is a huge market,” he said.
“If we trade more among ourselves and tour within Africa, it will create jobs and improve government revenue,” he added.
Ras Mubarak said increased intra-African trade and tourism could create employment opportunities for millions of young people while generating significant revenue for governments across the continent.
He recounted his recent journey across 31 African countries, 28 of which he travelled entirely by road, describing the experience as eye-opening and important to advancing the vision of African unity championed by Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah.
According to him, the trip exposed how little many Africans know about one another despite their shared history and cultural ties.
He said many Africans appeared to know more about Europe and America than about other African countries.
Ras Mubarak cited an incident in Zambia where some residents reportedly mistook the traditional Ghanaian smock, commonly known as “Fugu,” for a blouse when it was worn by Ghana’s president during a visit.
He said the incident reflected limited cultural awareness among Africans.
The former lawmaker also highlighted several barriers hindering free movement and economic integration on the continent, including visa restrictions, multiple currencies, border harassment, and the need to frequently change SIM cards when travelling between countries.
Although he acknowledged that countries such as Benin, Rwanda, Kenya, Seychelles, Gambia, and Congo-Brazzaville had introduced visa-free entry policies for Africans, he said progress toward continental integration remained slow.
He urged African governments to move beyond colonial-era barriers and adopt policies that promote openness, cooperation, and stronger economic integration.
According to him, a borderless Africa would create long-term opportunities for trade, investment, tourism, and youth employment across the continent.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Apiah | Bolgatanga
