President John Dramani Mahama has described Ethiopia as a symbol of African resistance to colonialism, citing its historic victory over Italian forces at the Battle of Adwa in 1896 as a defining moment in the continent’s struggle against foreign domination.
He made the remarks during the inauguration of the Megech Dam in Ethiopia, where he celebrated the country’s history and civilisation as a source of inspiration for Africa, drawing parallels with Ghana’s own struggle for independence.
“All of us are inspired by the history and civilisation of Ethiopia. Ethiopia has been one of the symbols of African resistance, having been one of the only African countries not to have been conquered under colonial domination. Of course, Ghana, too, makes history as the first African country south of the Sahara to have broken free from colonial domination,” he stated.
The Battle of Adwa, fought on March 1, 1896, saw Ethiopian forces defeat an invading Italian army, preserving Ethiopia’s independence and making the victory a powerful symbol of African sovereignty and resistance to European colonial expansion. The outcome challenged prevailing European assumptions about African military and political capacity during the colonial era.
Mahama also highlighted Ghana’s place in the Pan-African movement, recalling the country’s independence in 1957 under its first President, Kwame Nkrumah. Ghana’s independence became an important reference point for liberation movements across the continent, reinforcing calls for African unity and self-determination.
During his visit, Mahama toured Fasil Ghebbi, the historic royal fortress complex in Gondar, which served as the seat of Ethiopian emperors from the 17th century. He was adorned in an imperial kaba, an ornate ceremonial robe associated with Ethiopia’s royal heritage. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and his wife, Zinash Tayachew, also wore the traditional attire.
Mahama’s visit to Gondar also carried a historical connection for Ghana. The city’s name resonates with Ghana’s Gondar Barracks, which served as the headquarters of the December 31, 1981 revolution led by Jerry John Rawlings. The revolution ushered in the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) era, making the name a notable part of Ghana’s own political history.
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