File photo shows Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe speak during the State of the Nation Address in Harare, capital of Zimbabwe, Dec. 6, 2016. (Xinhua)

HARARE, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Monday traveled to Ghana for its 60th independence anniversary, just hours after arriving back in the country from Singapore where he had gone for a scheduled medical review.

The veteran president who turned 93 last month, rushed to the Southeast Asian country last Wednesday where he had routinely visited in recent years for medical check-ups.

"For us, Ghana is a symbol of African freedom struggles and independence and by going back to Ghana, His Excellency is associating himself with the politics and persuasion of Ghana in the context of Africa's struggles for independence," his spokesperson George Charamba was quoted as saying by the State-controlled Herald newspaper.

Mugabe has an emotional attachment to Ghana where he once taught soon after the West African country's independence. His first wife, Sally Francesca Hayfrone, was also a Ghanaian. She died in 1992.

Mugabe's spokesperson hit back at critics who complain that Mugabe travels a lot. He said his ability to travel that much on official business outside the country indicates that he is still fit and strong.

"That puts paid to any claims that the president is very ill. In fact, he is so well that he beats even the youngest politicians," Charamba said.

The opposition has criticized Mugabe's numerous visits outside the country, claiming they are a waste of scarce resources.