Former Member of Parliament for Kumbungu, Ras Mubarak, has urged African countries, including Ghana, to rethink their governance and development models by learning from innovative practices across the continent.
Mr. Mubarak, who is currently on a 163-day road trip across 39 African countries as part of the Trans Africa Tourism and Campaign to promote a visa-free Africa by 2030, shared his reflections during an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, September 16, 2025.
Describing his first visit to Equatorial Guinea, he said he was impressed by the country’s infrastructure and unique governance arrangements.
“It was my first time in Equatorial Guinea, and I was completely blown away. It is the exact opposite of what we have in Accra. Beautiful city, smooth roads, and you can drive for five hours with zero potholes. I think that there is a lot going on in Africa that is positive, and as Africans, these are things we need to highlight,” he said.
He noted that the government of Equatorial Guinea alternates its administrative operations every six months between Malabo, on the island, and Bata, on the mainland.
According to him, this system ensures a more balanced spread of development and state activity across the country.
“They have a very interesting model of governance. Every six months, they spend half of the year on Malabo Island and the other half on Bata, the mainland, in terms of government machinery. So, perhaps this is a development model that other African countries can learn from as a way of opening up.
“If you look at our country, everything is centred in Accra, and it is getting choked, and we have not fully made up our minds what we want to do with the city of Accra,” Mr. Mubarak explained.
The former legislator, activist, and traveller is expected back in Ghana on January 28, 2026, after completing the 40,000-kilometre journey across the continent.
Ras Mubarak, others begin 163-day road tour across 39 African Nations
