President Mahama arrives in Jamaica for historic state visit to deepen Ghana-Caribbean ties

President John Dramani Mahama has arrived in Kingston, Jamaica, to begin a historic four-day state visit aimed at strengthening Ghana’s longstanding ties with Jamaica, deepening Africa-Caribbean cooperation, and advancing the global reparations agenda.

The President arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport on Sunday night and was accorded official honours by a high-level Jamaican delegation led by Ambassador Sandra Grant Griffiths, Chief of State Protocol at the Office of the Prime Minister. He was also welcomed by Ghana’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, H.E. Kofi Attor.

Among the senior Jamaican officials present were Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith; Permanent Secretary and Head of the Foreign Service, Ambassador Sheila Sealy Monteith; Jamaica’s Non-Resident High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Lincoln Downer; Under-Secretaries Ambassador Symone Betton-Nayo and Ambassador Franz Hall; and Dr. Janice Miller of the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

President Mahama is accompanied by a high-powered Ghanaian delegation, including Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; Deputy Minister for Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi; Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Khadija Iddrisu; Ghana’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, H.E. Kofi Attor; and Head of Chancery at the Ghana High Commission in Jamaica, Dr. Chris Nrah.

The visit, which runs from August 2 to August 5, is expected to reinforce the historic diplomatic, cultural and economic relationship between Ghana and Jamaica while expanding cooperation between Ghana and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). It also follows Ghana’s recent humanitarian assistance to Jamaica after a devastating natural disaster, underscoring Ghana’s commitment to supporting its Caribbean partners in times of need.

A major highlight of the visit will be President Mahama’s participation in a high-level Reparations Dialogue at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. He is expected to join Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of the University and Chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Commission, to discuss efforts to advance reparations for the transatlantic slave trade and address its lasting impact on African and Caribbean peoples.

In recognition of the shared Pan-African heritage between the two countries, the President will lay a wreath at the shrine of Jamaica’s National Hero, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, at the National Heroes Park. He will also visit Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann to tour the preserved Ghanaian Village Houses, a symbol of the enduring historical and ancestral ties between Ghana and Jamaica.

During the visit, President Mahama is expected to hold bilateral talks with Jamaican officials on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, cultural exchange and broader South-South collaboration. He will also address a joint sitting of Jamaica’s Houses of Parliament, where he is expected to outline a vision for a stronger strategic partnership between Africa and the Caribbean.

His itinerary further includes a Trade and Investment Dialogue, a tour of the Kingston Freeport hosted by the Port Authority of Jamaica, a courtesy call on Opposition Leader Mark Golding, participation in Jamaica’s 64th Independence Anniversary celebrations, and a State Dinner hosted by Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen.