On this day (14 January) in 1965, Ghana welcomed the Argentine-born revolutionary Che Guevara (1928-67) during his three-month journey across Africa.
Guevara’s mission was to forge connections between the liberation movements of Africa and those in Latin America. In Ghana, he met Pan-Africanist leader Kwame Nkrumah (1909-72), who, at the time, held the dual roles of president and prime minister. Together, they toured development initiatives, including the Volta Dam, which can power 207,600 homes, and the 19-kilometre Accra-Tema highway.
This visit helped establish Cuba’s commitment to internationalism. The Caribbean island has provided vital personnel, resources and logistical aid to support Africa’s fight against imperialism. Guevara’s impact inspired countless Cuban medical professionals who have dedicated themselves to enhancing health programmes across the continent.
The bond between Guevara and Nkrumah’s revolutionary ideals did not escape the world’s attention.
Many believe the CIA played a role in the 1966 coup that ousted Nkrumah, followed by the assassination of Guevara.
Now, 60 years later, as Ghana grapples with a debt crisis fuelled by reliance on International Monetary Fund bailouts, a fragile currency, and governance challenges, perhaps the newly inaugurated president, John Mahama, can channel Guevara’s enduring spirit to breathe new life into the country.
Sources:
https://www.ice.org.uk/what-is-civil-engineering/infrastructure-projects/akosombo-dam
https://www.historyworkshop.org.uk/communism-socialism/radical-objects-che-guevaras-africa-notebook
https://misiones.cubaminrex.cu/en/articulo/tribute-che-guevara-ghana-strengthens-solidarity-cuba
https://www.marxists.org/history/erol/ncm-1a/atm-cuba-africa.pdf