In early May of 2013, Chairman Omali Yeshitela and Deputy Chairwoman Ona Zene’ Yeshitela landed in Accra, Ghana to continue the One Africa! One Nation! One Party! Worldwide Tour.
Having traveled throughout Africa extensively, Chairman Omali has a great fondness for Ghana and its people, and most importantly, the vision for a unified socialist Africa put forth by Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
The black star on the national flag of Ghana is directly related to the Black Star Line started by Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in 1919. The shipping line was to transport commodities between Africans throughout the world as a way to develop an African economy.
Agents of U.S. imperialism under directives of J. Edgar Hoover in the early days of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) would later sabotage the Black Star Line, the UNIA, and target Marcus Garvey for imprisonment and deportation.
In this tour of Ghana, Chairman Omali and Deputy Chair Ona did extensive on-the-ground research on the protocols of business development and financial practices in Ghana, along with surveying arable land.
Ghana has one of the most active art markets on the continent of Africa. Deputy Chair Ona focused on visiting top Ghanaian artisans in their workshops and studios throughout the capital.
These studio visits were important to view the wares and to solidify business relationships. The development of a contending African economy is an important aspect of African Internationalism and the work to spread it throughout the world.
Rufus Martin and Velma Nickens-Martin were surprised by a special visit by Chairman Omali and Deputy Chair Ona at their home in the Akosombo region of Ghana. The Martins are longtime subscribers to The Burning Spear newspaper and supporters of the Uhuru Movement who had relocated to Ghana.
On the day that the Chairman and Deputy Chair visited, the Martins were finally moving into their new home. Even amidst the clutter of moving boxes, it was obvious to all that the home was beautiful and architecturally well designed.
The Martins gave a tour of their house and guesthouse. An all-African construction team using local sustainable materials and construction practices built the entire project.
The Chairman also surveyed the current economic, political and cultural conditions in Ghana and Africa, as he continued to write the Political Report to the 6thCongress of the African People’s Socialist Party.
The 6thCongress will take place on December 7-11, 2013 in St. Petersburg, Florida.
During the African Liberation Day events in Washington D.C. in May and Paris, France in June, the African People’s Socialist Party unveiled the plan for Black Star Industries. The strategy of this economic institution and its forthcoming programs hold the key instrument for the development of our own independent anti-colonial economy. The work in Ghana moved that strategy a step further.
Uhuru!
