Jamaica, Ghana deepen ties with new agreements on health, trade, tourism

Jamaica and Ghana on Monday signed several agreements aimed at strengthening diplomatic, trade, economic, health and tourism ties, as both countries pledged to deepen regional and international cooperation.

Speaking during an official ceremony in Kingston, visiting Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama said the relationship between the two countries is rooted in a shared history shaped by Pan-Africanism and the struggle against colonial rule. He said the focus has now shifted to achieving economic prosperity through closer collaboration.

"This time is not about liberation from colonial domination. This time it is economic emancipation of our people. And we have no option than to work together, bring our comparative advantages together to be able to create the prosperity that our people deserve," Mahama said.

Mahama is in Jamaica on an official visit to participate in the country's Emancipation and Independence celebrations.

He said discussions with Prime Minister Andrew Holness centered on expanding economic cooperation, including bringing together Jamaican and Ghanaian business leaders to encourage investment between the two countries.

"I think that that is one sure way to begin cross investments between our countries," Mahama said, noting that both Jamaica and Ghana aspire to become economic hubs for their respective regions.

Later Monday, Mahama was scheduled to meet with Jamaican business leaders to highlight investment opportunities in Ghana, particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which provides businesses access to a market of 1.4 billion people across 54 African countries.

He also said both governments intend to fast-track a bilateral air services agreement currently before their respective parliaments, paving the way for direct flights between Accra and Montego Bay.

"We'll fast-track it so that it becomes operational so that either national carriers between Jamaica and Ghana or third-party carriers can fly direct flights from Accra to Montego Bay," Mahama said.

Holness described the visit as another milestone in the long-standing relationship between the two countries, saying Jamaica and Ghana remain united in advancing the ideals championed by Jamaican National Hero Marcus Garvey.

"Mr. President, your visit solidifies the long-standing diplomatic relationship between our two countries," Holness said.

He said recent high-level engagements between the two governments have resulted in agreements covering the recruitment of health professionals, defense cooperation, and updated collaboration in arts and culture.

According to Holness, the health cooperation agreement is already producing results, with Ghanaian nurses expected to arrive soon to help strengthen Jamaica's health care system.

"We expect to expand our relations to include deepened cooperation in health, education, tourism and air services, the parameters of which we discussed extensively today," Holness said.

He added that discussions on air services and tourism have strengthened hopes for direct commercial flights between Accra and Montego Bay in the near future.

Holness also said Jamaica is seeking to expand commercial and investment links with Ghana as part of a broader strategy to strengthen relations with continental Africa.

He pointed to last month's virtual investment and business mission, which connected companies in both countries and has already generated opportunities in logistics, tourism, hospitality, agri-processing, information and communications technology, financial technology and the creative industries.

"Jamaica is also expanding our ports and logistics operation to be the gateway of the Caribbean and Latin America," Holness said. "By potentially connecting the ports, we could give exporters and investors on both sides of the Atlantic a more efficient route to new markets."

Holness also thanked Ghana for its assistance following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, saying humanitarian support from the Ghanaian government and the Ghana Army Corps of Engineers contributed significantly to Jamaica's recovery efforts.

"Mr. President, on behalf of the people of Jamaica, and particularly the people of St. Elizabeth, particularly those communities that had their roofs restored, we say thank you from the bottom of our hearts," Holness said.

Holness also accepted an invitation to visit Accra next year when Ghana celebrates the 70th anniversary of its independence.