Video of Muhammad Ali's arrival in Ghana in 1964 pops up online
- Muhammad Ali came to Ghana in 1964 as part of a Pan-African wave
- At the start of a Pan-African tour in 1964, the world heavyweight boxing champion made his first stop in Ghana
- Ali was born Cassius Clay on January 17, 1942
World heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali arrived in Accra, Ghana in 1964 at the start of a tour of Africa and a video of his touch down has surfaced online.
A large crowd was on hand to welcome Muhammad Ali, the heavyweight showman who mesmerised the world with his boxing style, unpredictable intelligence and benevolence.
Upon his arrival, he was met by a ministerial delegation from Ghana.
Ghana was the place to be in the 1960s, well, still is, especially because the country had secured independence from former colonial power UK and Ghana attracted independence fighters, advocates of empowerment, anti-colonial activists and revolutionists.
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World renowned personalities including Adam Clayton Powell, George Padmore, Maya Angelou, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, C.L.R James and some other notable personalities were reported to have visited the country before and after Ghana gained independence.
According to www.myjoyonline.com, Muhammad Ali settled on Ghana as his first stop on a planned Pan-African tour and it was no surprise.
He touched down in Accra on May 16, 1964, a historic year for both Ali and for the country.
Ghana's Foreign Minister, Kojo Botsio, a representative of President Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, received Muhammad Ali upon his arrival in Accra.
Ali would eventually meet with Kwame Nkrumah, who gave him a traditional Ghanaian cloth, the ''Oyokoman'', worn by Ashanti royals.
Meanwhile, Ghanaians have a way of finding humour in almost every national event, even on issues that involve corruption, some would engineer creative ways to thrill the humour in the scandals and the characters involved.
In a video making rounds on social media, Ghana’s President Akufo-Addo and former president Mahama are captured in uncomfortable demeanours, attempting to exchange a handshake at a sod cutting ceremony for a Kofi Annan statue to immortalize the late former Secretary-General of the United Nations.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
