Ghana’s President John Mahama has paid glowing tribute to the long-standing relationship between Kenya and Ghana, invoking the historic friendship between independence icons Jomo Kenyatta and Kwame Nkrumah as a foundation that continues to shape cooperation between the two nations.
Speaking during Jamhuri celebrations on Friday, President Mahama said the people of Ghana stand in solidarity with their “brothers and sisters in Kenya."
He further noted that the shared histories of the two countries have created an enduring bond rooted in the struggle for African liberation.
“At this day, we pay respects to the memory of our forebears who fought for our freedom, and we do not take their sacrifice for granted,” Mahama said.
“The friendship between our independence leaders, Jomo Kenyatta and Kwame Nkrumah, has become an enduring flame that has continued to bond our two countries together. Our forebears won us political independence, and it’s the responsibility of the current African leadership to win economic independence and prosperity for our people.”
Mahama’s remarks reflected a broader call for Africa’s political class to build on the legacy of early pan-Africanists by championing economic sovereignty, deeper integration, and stronger intra-African trade.
The leader noted that Africa continues to face numerous challenges — from structural economic barriers to what he described as a global system that often disadvantages developing nations.
“The continent faces many challenges, including a global order rigged against it,” he said, arguing that the current model of exporting raw materials and importing finished goods is unsustainable.
Mahama emphasised value addition as a core pillar of Africa’s economic future, saying the continent will only thrive when it controls its own production chains.
The Ghanaian leader also urged African nations to strengthen continental trade frameworks, arguing that enhanced collaboration will help insulate economies from global shocks and foster shared prosperity.
His invocation of the Kenyatta–Nkrumah relationship underscores the deep historical ties between the two nations, dating back to the 1940s when the two leaders, alongside other liberation giants, co-founded the Pan-African Federation.
This early ideological partnership contributed to shaping Africa’s independence movements and helped cement a shared vision for a united, prosperous continent.
Mahama said that history carries lessons for today’s leaders, urging them to rekindle the spirit of African unity and collective progress.
As Kenya and Ghana continue to expand cooperation in trade, education, culture, and technology, Mahama expressed optimism that the two nations will remain key partners in advancing Africa’s integration agenda.
