Title : Haile Selassie I’s Visit to Ghana
Haile Selassie I’s Visit to Ghana: A Royal Bond for African Unity
By UnionJah Observer | April 25, 2025
Date(s) of Visit: April 1960, and again in subsequent years for OAU discussions.
Background
In the golden dawn of African independence, Ghana stood as a proud beacon under the leadership of President Kwame Nkrumah, the first Sub-Saharan African country to break free from colonial rule (1957). Emperor Haile Selassie I, deeply committed to Pan-Africanism, saw Ghana as a crucial ally in forging the future of a united, sovereign Africa.
Arrival and Honors
Haile Selassie I received a hero’s welcome. Streets of Accra were filled with crowds cheering “King of Kings!” and celebrating the unification of two great African lions—Nkrumah and Selassie. He was awarded full military honors, cultural ceremonies, and given state receptions befitting his imperial status.
Speeches and Themes
Both leaders emphasized:
- African Unity as a destiny.
- The importance of independence not only for their nations but for all of Africa.
- A vision for economic cooperation, education, and diplomatic solidarity.
“The struggle for African freedom and dignity is not yet complete. We must support one another. Africa will rise together or fall divided.”
— Haile Selassie I, Accra, 1960
Legacy
- Their partnership laid the groundwork for the creation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963.
- Ghana and Ethiopia became pillars of Pan-Africanism, education exchange, and cultural revival.
- The visit is still remembered by elders and scholars as a sacred moment of continental pride.
Spiritual Impact
For many Ghanaians, especially those conscious of Ethiopia’s biblical and royal lineage, Selassie’s visit was more than political—it was spiritual. Rastafari communities in Ghana see this visit as a confirmation of Ethiopia’s divine role in Africa’s rebirth.
