The Group of African Ambassadors to China (GAAC) turned the China World Hotel, Beijing into a mosaic of Pan-African pride on 25 May 2026, hosting a high-level diplomatic reception to commemorate Africa Day. The occasion marked two milestones, the 63rd anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union, and the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and African countries. Held under the AU’s 2026 theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” the event underscored sustainable development, food security, public health, environmental stewardship and regional cooperation. It also spotlighted 2026 as the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

The hall was filled with African Heads of Mission, including the Deputy Head of Mission of Ghana to the People’s Republic of China, Dr Harry Ebenezer Zevon, diplomats, senior Chinese Government officials, visiting ministers, international organisation representatives, diaspora members, business leaders, scholars and friends of Africa.

Distinguished guests included H.E. Mr. Miao Deyu, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China; H.E. Mrs. Carmen Ivelize Van-Dúnem do Sacramento Neto dos Santos, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Angola; H.E. Dr. Alexander Nuetah, Minister of Agriculture of Liberia; and H.E. Mrs. Francess Paige Alghali, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone.

Culture Meets Innovation 

Ghana’s participation was impossible to miss. The Ghana Embassy’s pavilion draped in vibrant Ghanaian fabric and smock fabric drew crowd eager to touch, photograph and learn about the textiles that have come to symbolize African identity globally. Beside the fabric display, the aroma of Ghanaian Jollof with grilled tilapia and goat meat filled the air, as Ghanaian chefs served guests a taste of home. The food corner became a hub for cultural dialogue, with Chinese friends and fellow diplomats asking about ingredients, preparation and the communal spirit behind every bowl of jollof.

Beyond culture, Ghana projected innovation. The Mission highlighted President John Dramani Mahama’s launch of Ghana’s electronic visa portal on AU Day itself. From 25 May 2026, holders of African passports traveling for business or tourism are fully exempted from visa fees and apply exclusively online. This is Ghana turning the AU’s vision of free movement into practice, linking the reform directly to Agenda 2063’s African Passport and Free Movement of People. It also reaffirmed Ghana’s role as host of the AfCFTA Secretariat, showing how peace, security and mobility must go hand-in-hand to unlock Africa’s economic potential.

Voices of the Day 

Delivering remarks on behalf of GAAC, H.E. Mr. Martin Mpana, Ambassador of Cameroon and Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, called Africa Day a celebration of our African identity, our resilience, and our creativity, stressing that cultural and people-to-people exchanges remain the bedrock of Africa–China relations.

On behalf of H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Ambassador Alhaji Sarjoh Bah, AU Permanent Representative to China, delivered the Commission’s message. He reaffirmed the AU’s dedication to solidarity, partnership, multilateralism and the aspirations of Agenda 2063.

Representing the host government, Vice Minister Miao Deyu congratulated Africa on the commemoration and reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepen cooperation under FOCAC, especially in development, education, healthcare, connectivity, poverty reduction and cultural exchanges. He noted that China’s new 100% tariff-free access for 53 African countries, effective 1 May 2026, is a concrete step toward shared modernisation.

Beyond Diplomacy, Identity, Innovation and Integration

The evening blended diplomacy with celebration. African music and traditional dance performances lit the stage, while cuisine from across the continent reflected Africa’s diversity. For Ghana, AU Day 2026 was both remembrance and declaration. Remembrance of the Pan-African ideals that birthed the OAU, and declaration that through culture, tradition and forward-looking policies like the e-Visa, Ghana continues to advance the Africa we want.

Written by: Moses Sackie, Counsellor/Information, Embassy of Ghana, the People’s Republic of China.