What was the Ahiara Declaration as noted in the memoir, There Was a Country?

The Ahiara Declaration was the mission statement that described the basis for the Biafran revolution. The document stressed the importance of the values of equality, self-determination and respect for basic human values. Chinua was invited along with a panel of other high-profile writers and intellects to help write Biafra’s declaration. Chinua admired the Tanzanian declaration because it included African values and ideology. The Ahiara Declaration was given in a radio address by Biafra’s leader, Emeka Ojukwu on June 1, 1969. It was well-received and gave the Biafran people reason to celebrate and “dance to what Ojukwu was saying.”