1960 — Patrice Lumumba’s Address to Ghana Parliament

On May 24, 1960, Patrice Lumumba, soon to be the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, delivered a stirring address to Ghana’s Parliament during his pre-independence diplomatic tour. Hosted by Kwame Nkrumah, the speech emphasized Pan-African unity and the need for Africa to control its own destiny, free from neo-colonial influence. Lumumba’s visit symbolized a pivotal moment of revolutionary hope as post-colonial African leaders sought to align ideologically and economically. May 24 highlights the strategic alliances being formed between newly liberated African nations and visionary leaders. Lumumba’s words still resonate as calls for sovereignty, accountability, and self-determination in the face of global exploitation. Remembering this date allows a celebration of Pan-African diplomacy, intellectual collaboration, and the global Black pursuit of liberation. Lumumba remains a martyr and a visionary for African unity.