Prime News Ghana

Mahama to undertake historic visit to Jamaica

By Vincent Ashitey
Shares
facebook sharing button Share
twitter sharing button Tweet
email sharing button Email
sharethis sharing button Share

President John Dramani Mahama will undertake a four-day official visit to Jamaica from Sunday, August 2 to Wednesday, August 5.

According to a statement issued by the Presidency Communications on Thursday, the visit is intended to deepen the long-standing historical and diplomatic relationship between Ghana and Jamaica while expanding cooperation with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The Presidency said the trip follows Ghana's recent support to Jamaica after a major natural disaster and reflects Ghana's continued solidarity with its Caribbean partners.

A key highlight of the visit will be President Mahama's participation in a high-level reparations dialogue at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, where he will join Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of UWI and Chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Commission, to discuss the campaign for reparatory justice.

The President will also pay tribute to Pan-African icon Marcus Mosiah Garvey by laying a wreath at the National Heroes Park. He is also expected to visit Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann, where preserved Ghanaian village houses stand as a reminder of the shared ancestry between Ghana and Jamaica.

During the visit, President Mahama will hold bilateral talks with Jamaica's Prime Minister focusing on trade, culture and South-South cooperation. He will also address a joint sitting of Jamaica's Parliament, outlining his vision for stronger Africa-Caribbean relations.

Other engagements include a Trade and Investment Dialogue, a tour of the Kingston Freeport, a courtesy call on Opposition Leader Mark Golding, attendance at Jamaica's Mello-Go-Roun cultural celebrations marking the country's 64th Independence Anniversary, and a State Dinner hosted by Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen.

The Presidency said the visit is expected to chart a new course for Ghana-Jamaica relations, position Ghana as a gateway for CARICOM's engagement with Africa, and reinforce cooperation on reparations, economic development and South-South collaboration.