Ghana and Jamaica have renewed efforts to deepen political, economic and cultural relations as both countries pursue new areas of cooperation in trade, reparatory justice, aviation and diplomacy.
Speaking at the closing session of the third Ghana Jamaica Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) on Tuesday in Accra, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, described the relationship between both countries as one rooted in shared ancestry, Pan African ideals and a common historical struggle.
Mr Ablakwa commended Jamaica for the hospitality shown to Ghanaian troops deployed to assist after Hurricane Melissa earlier this year.
The Minister described the revival of the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation after a 21 year break as a turning point in bilateral relations.
“We must feel embarrassed that since 2005 we have not met, it is good that we are making history today after a 21 year hiatus”, he noted.
He urged both countries to move beyond signing agreements and focus on implementation, particularly in health, defence, arts and culture, trade, tourism and education.
“It should not just be about what we sign, but the impact that what we sign here today will represent in the lives of our people,” he said.
Mr Ablakwa announced that discussions were underway to establish direct flights between Ghana and Jamaica as part of efforts to strengthen commercial and cultural ties between Africa and the Caribbean.
He revealed that President John Dramani Mahama had directed the technical committee working on the revival of Ghana Airways to prioritise a Ghana Caribbean route.
“Once that revival is completed and Ghana Airways is back in the skies, the route from Ghana to the Caribbean must be a must”, he said.
He also disclosed plans to establish resident diplomatic missions in both countries.
He said both countries needed to establish resident diplomatic missions, including a Ghana High Commission in Jamaica and a Jamaican High Commission in Ghana.
According to Mr.Ablakwa, the visa waiver agreement introduced in 2019 had led to growing travel between both countries for business, tourism and cultural reconnection.
He encouraged deeper collaboration in music, film, heritage tourism and creative industries.
“From music, dance and film to festivals and cultural education, we have a unique opportunity to tell our own stories with authenticity, dignity and pride,” he said.
The Minister invited Jamaica to participate in Ghana’s upcoming reparatory justice conference in June and the Black Star Experience and Diaspora Summit scheduled for December in Accra.
On her part,the Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith,said the renewed engagement reflects shared values and a long term vision for cooperation between the two countries.
She noted plans for scholarships for Ghanaian athletes and coaches in Jamaica, saying, it was part of efforts to deepen people to people ties and skills development.
The Jamaican minister also expressed optimism that ongoing negotiations would lead to formalisation of agreements during the session and future expansion of bilateral ties across multiple sectors.
Joyce Adwoa Animia Ocran,ISD
