President John Dramani Mahama will make a four-day official visit to Jamaica from Sunday, August 2 to Wednesday, August 5.
The visit is meant to strengthen Ghana’s long-standing diplomatic and historical ties with Jamaica while increasing collaboration with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), according to a statement released by the Presidency Communications on Thursday.
According to the presidency, the tour demonstrates Ghana’s ongoing solidarity with its Caribbean allies and comes after Ghana recently provided assistance to Jamaica following a significant natural disaster.
President Mahama’s participation in a high-level reparations dialogue at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, where he will speak with Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of UWI and Chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Commission, about the fight for reparatory justice, will be a major highlight of the visit.
Additionally, the President will lay a wreath in National Heroes Park in honour of Pan-African leader Marcus Mosiah Garvey. Additionally, he is anticipated to visit Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann, where intact Ghanaian village homes serve as a reminder of Jamaica and Ghana’s common origin.
President Mahama will have bilateral discussions with the prime minister of Jamaica during the visit, with a focus on South-South cooperation, trade, and culture. Additionally, he will present his vision for improved ties between Africa and the Caribbean before a joint session of the Jamaican Parliament.
Other events include a State Dinner hosted by Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen, a tour of the Kingston Freeport, a courtesy call on Opposition Leader Mark Golding, and participation in Jamaica’s Mello-Go-Roun cultural celebrations commemorating the nation’s 64th anniversary of independence.
According to the Presidency, the visit is anticipated to steer Ghana-Jamaica relations in a new direction, establish Ghana as a gateway for CARICOM’s engagement with Africa, and strengthen collaboration on South-South cooperation, economic growth, and reparations.
Source: newsthemegh.com