Ras Mubarak urges youth to reclaim Africa’s future at Ibn Haldun University in TurkeyHi, what are you looking for?
Ras Mubarak urges youth to reclaim Africa’s future at Ibn Haldun University
In a stirring and unapologetically Pan-African speech that drew standing ovations from students and faculty alike, Hon. Ras Mubarak, former Member of Parliament from Ghana, delivered a powerful address at Ibn Haldun University on African Union Day. His message was clear: Africa’s liberation lies not in aid or permission from the West, but in the bold, united action of its youth and leaders.
A personal salute to Africa’s youth
Opening his speech with heartfelt greetings, Mubarak emphasized the symbolic weight of AU Day and placed the African youth at the heart of Africa’s future. “What we say about Africa today is what we believed yesterday. What you do about Africa tomorrow is what will define our continent for generations,” he said, setting the tone for a candid and urgent conversation.
The African confidence crisis
Using humor to highlight a serious issue, Mubarak shared a fictional story of professors fleeing a plane built by African students. Only a Ghanaian professor remained, quipping that it wouldn’t even start—a metaphor for the continent’s deep-rooted lack of self-belief. “This despair is real,” Mubarak said. “Not because we lack resources, but because we lack leadership and faith in ourselves.”
Neo-colonial realities and political paralysis
The former MP pointed to West Africa’s decades-long failure to implement a single currency, the Eco, as symptomatic of a larger issue: political leaders beholden to foreign interests. “Our leaders dance to the tune of their puppet masters in Washington, Brussels, London, and Paris,” he declared, adding that youth must take up the mantle of leadership without delay.
Colonial borders, modern injustices
Mubarak condemned current barriers to intra-African movement and trade. He called out the irony of cheaper travel to Europe than between African capitals, and the continued visa requirements among African nations. “This is not logistics,” he said. “This is the legacy of a colonial system that was never dismantled—only rebranded.”
The Sahel: A new awakening
Citing recent political shifts in the Sahel, Mubarak praised young African leaders like Captain Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso for rejecting neo-colonial influences. “He may not be democratically elected, but he is serving—not submitting,” Mubarak asserted, framing this as a continental awakening against decades of Western-backed democracies that failed to deliver dignity.
Pan-Africanism: The path forward
Calling Pan-Africanism not just an ideology but “a call to action,” Mubarak stressed that unity and collaboration are essential for Africa’s progress. He urged students to reject the idea of Western superiority and instead embrace the wisdom and innovation found within African traditions and among South-South partners.
Looking East and South for partnership
Mubarak noted that future partnerships should be forged not only within Africa but also with countries in the Global South such as China, Brazil, and Russia. He hailed Turkey’s bid to join BRICS as a sign that even developed nations are realigning away from Western-dominated systems.
A call to critical thinking and leadership
Encouraging students to become architects of Africa’s future, Mubarak reminded them that real change begins with questioning dominant narratives. “Be bold, be innovative, be courageous,” he charged, emphasizing that the duty to lift Africa lies with all sectors—politicians, academia, civil society, and especially the youth.
A continent still full of hope
Despite the continent’s challenges, Mubarak’s message was ultimately one of hope. “There is hope if we are all Ibrahim Traoré, or Nkrumah, Acheampong, and Lumumba,” he said, urging listeners to bring aspiration where there is resignation.
Ending on a global note: Solidarity with Palestine
In a bold closing, Mubarak linked Africa’s own history of oppression to the ongoing Palestinian struggle, condemning Israeli policies as “gangster terrorism.” He called on Africans to lead global solidarity efforts, stating unequivocally: “Long live Palestine.”
Africa must rise, Africa will rise
Quoting Kwame Nkrumah, Mubarak concluded: “The independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked with the total liberation of the African continent.” With an impassioned call for unity, courage, and strategic action, his address served as both a critique of Africa’s status quo and a rousing blueprint for the future.
“May our African students and youth rise, not just as witnesses to history, but as its authors!”
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