Jamaica and Ghana to Expand Bilateral Cooperation in Key Areas

• Jamaica and the Republic of Ghana are poised to deepen cooperation in key areas, including health, education, tourism and air services, following extensive bilateral discussions between the leaders of both nations. Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, held bilateral talks with Ghana’s President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston.
• President Mahama is in Jamaica on a State Visit through Wednesday (August 5). He is accompanied by Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and Deputy Minister of Defence, Hon. Ernest Brogya Genfi. In a media statement, Dr. Holness noted that President Mahama’s visit underscores and strengthens the long-standing diplomatic relationship between Jamaica and Ghana.
• He noted that the health cooperation agreement is already delivering tangible benefits, including the expected arrival of Ghanaian nurses to help strengthen Jamaica's healthcare system. Dr. Holness also highlighted last month's Virtual Investment and New Markets Ministerial Business Mission, part of a broader strategy to deepen engagement with continental Africa, saying the initiative fostered meaningful business connections between Jamaican and Ghanaian companies.
• By strengthening connectivity between their ports, Jamaica and Ghana could provide exporters and investors on both sides of the Atlantic with a more efficient gateway to new markets. “We can make it easier for your Ghanaian exporters to reach the Caribbean and the Americas and easier for a Jamaican exporter to reach Africa, particularly within the context of the African continental free trade area,” the Prime Minister affirmed.
• Holness added that Jamaica places great value on its relationship with Ghana, as a trusted friend and partner with whom it shares common aspirations for sustainable development, inclusive growth, and a stronger voice for developing countries and the international community. In his remarks, President Mahama noted that, building on their historic ties, Jamaica and Ghana have fresh opportunities to strengthen solidarity and advance the economic empowerment and prosperity of their peoples.
• President Mahama said engagement would provide a strong foundation for promoting cross-investment opportunities between both countries. He also highlighted that President Mahama indicated that he was looking forward to meeting with Jamaican business leaders to discuss investment opportunities in Ghana and, by extension, across Africa through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

(Source: JIS)