Jamaican PM Holness commends Ghana’s swift humanitarian response after Hurricane Melissa
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has commended Ghana for its swift humanitarian response following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, describing the support as a remarkable demonstration of friendship and solidarity between Africa and the Caribbean.
Speaking at a joint press conference during President John Dramani Mahama’s State Visit to Jamaica, Holness said Ghana’s assistance came at a critical time when the country was recovering from the impact of the hurricane, which struck in October last year.
“Jamaica has shown remarkable resilience in the face of that disaster, but that was strengthened by the friendship of our international partners,” he said.
Holness expressed particular appreciation for Ghana’s humanitarian assistance and the deployment of the Ghana Armed Forces Engineers Corps, whose personnel helped reconstruct damaged roofs in some of the communities hardest hit by the storm.
The reconstruction efforts benefited residents of Accompong, Black River, Middle Quarters and Thornton in the parish of Saint Elizabeth, helping affected families begin rebuilding their lives.
The Jamaican leader said the experience had inspired both countries to formalise an arrangement that would enable rapid humanitarian assistance whenever disasters strike either nation.
“We reiterated our agreement on the formalisation of an arrangement through which such support can be mobilised at short notice in the case of future disasters,” Holness said.
He explained that the proposed framework would not only allow Ghana to assist Jamaica and the wider Caribbean during emergencies but would also enable Jamaica to provide support to Ghana should the need arise.
According to Holness, the initiative represents a significant milestone in strengthening Africa-Caribbean relations and could become the first extensive humanitarian outreach of its kind from the African continent to the Caribbean.
He said the partnership reflects the growing cooperation between Ghana and Jamaica and their shared commitment to standing together in times of crisis, reinforcing the historic bonds between the two countries.
