Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has met with his Jamaican Foreign Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, in Kingston, Jamaica, ahead of President John Dramani Mahama’s historic state visit to the Caribbean nation.
The meeting formed part of preparations for President Mahama’s visit, which is being undertaken at the invitation of Jamaican Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness.
During the engagement, the two Foreign Ministers expressed optimism about the prospects of deepening cooperation between Ghana and Jamaica and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations in areas including trade, culture, maritime affairs, education, health, and other sectors of mutual interest.
Welcoming Minister Ablakwa to Kingston, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith described it as a pleasure and honour to receive Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, particularly during Jamaica’s emancipation and independence celebrations.
“It is an absolute pleasure and honour to welcome you once more to Kingston, Jamaica, and how much more pleasure it gives us that this is your visit during our emancipation and independence celebration time,” she said.
She said the Jamaican government was looking forward to receiving President Mahama, adding that his visit in response to Prime Minister Holness’ invitation was a source of pride for the country.
“The government of Jamaica not only welcomes you, but looks forward very much to welcoming your president tomorrow evening, President John Dramani Mahama,” Senator Johnson Smith said.
Minister Ablakwa thanked the Jamaican government for the warm reception and said Ghana was honoured to accept the invitation extended by Prime Minister Holness.
“It’s always a pleasure to be here. And I want to thank you and the team for the very warm reception since our arrival. We are here to honour the invitation of Prime Minister Andrew Holness,” he said.
He said Ghana was looking forward to President Mahama’s visit, describing it as a historic engagement that would be impactful and meaningful.
“We are really looking forward to the arrival of President John Dramani Mahama on this historic visit. We promise this to be very impactful, very meaningful,” Ablakwa added.
Senator Johnson Smith outlined activities planned for the state visit, including President Mahama’s address to a joint sitting of Jamaica’s Parliament, which she described as one of the highlights of state visits.
“Among the things which are being anticipated will include the President’s address to the Parliament. This address to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament is something which is a pinnacle of our state visits,” she said.
She also announced that President Mahama would lay a wreath at the shrine of Jamaica’s first national hero, the Right Honourable Marcus Garvey, whom she noted had influence on Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
The programme will also include a visit to Seville, a heritage site where Ghana’s delegation will learn about Jamaica’s African heritage and the history of the transatlantic slave trade.
Senator Johnson Smith said the visit would also provide an opportunity to continue discussions on the reparations agenda, noting President Mahama’s role in pushing the issue at the United Nations General Assembly.
The Jamaican Foreign Minister added that President Mahama would be formally welcomed with a full military guard at King’s House and would participate in cultural activities, including a visit to a major cultural event and a reparations dialogue at the University of the West Indies.
Minister Ablakwa expressed appreciation for what he described as a carefully planned programme and said President Mahama was excited about the visit.
“He is very honoured that you have the opportunity to be the first Ghanaian president to address your joint sitting of Parliament,” Ablakwa said.
He added that the President would also hold bilateral engagements with Prime Minister Holness, the leader of the opposition, and other stakeholders.
The Foreign Affairs Minister further disclosed that President Mahama would endorse Jamaica’s petition on the reparations agenda, reaffirming Ghana’s support for the shared pursuit of justice.
“He would also be endorsing Jamaica’s petition,” Ablakwa said.
Both ministers described Ghana and Jamaica as partners united by shared history and common interests, pledging to continue working together to strengthen relations between the two countries.
“We are still collaborators, working together in the struggle. Our way to justice is achieved,” Senator Johnson Smith said.
Minister Ablakwa added: “We are really, really excited that in Jamaica we have our own family. We are on the same page, in the same struggle.”
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