ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA – President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to strengthen Ghana’s economic and diplomatic relations with Caribbean countries, with a focus on direct air connectivity, visa-waiver arrangements, trade expansion and investment opportunities for the diaspora.
Addressing members of the Ghanaian community in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, following the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), President Mahama said Ghana and the Caribbean share deep historical, ancestral and cultural ties that must be translated into stronger economic cooperation.
He highlighted the joint advocacy by Ghana and Caribbean countries for reparative justice, which contributed to the adoption of a United Nations General Assembly resolution recognising the transatlantic slave trade as a grievous crime against humanity.
The President said his government was committed to building on this shared heritage through practical initiatives that would deepen people-to-people relations and promote mutual economic development.
On investment, President Mahama assured Ghanaians living abroad of the government’s commitment to creating safer and more reliable opportunities for them to invest in the domestic economy.
He said government was exploring arrangements that would enable members of the diaspora to channel their remittances into productive ventures without depending on informal intermediaries.
Housing, he noted, remains a major priority, with a GH¢1 billion mortgage facility expected to provide prospective homeowners with access to financing through repayment arrangements spanning up to 20 years.
The President also sought to reassure the diaspora about the resilience of Ghana’s economy, despite prevailing global economic challenges. He said inflation and interest rates were showing signs of stability, while the cedi had demonstrated resilience.
On regional trade, President Mahama disclosed that Ghana was exploring ways to extend the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to the Caribbean to create opportunities for businesses in both regions to access wider markets and expand commercial activities.
He further identified direct air connectivity as a critical component of the proposed partnership, revealing that Boeing was providing consultancy support towards the establishment of a new national airline.
President Mahama expressed hope that the Caribbean would be considered among the airline’s international destinations, a move expected to improve travel, tourism and business exchanges between the two regions.
He also announced plans to pursue visa-waiver agreements with Caribbean countries to facilitate easier movement between Ghana and the region, particularly for families and relatives seeking to reconnect.
Meanwhile, the President highlighted government’s efforts to expand employment opportunities for health professionals through the Free Primary Healthcare Programme, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Scheme.
He said these initiatives were part of broader efforts to strengthen Ghana’s healthcare delivery system while creating opportunities for professionals in the sector.
President Mahama said Ghana’s engagement with the Caribbean must move beyond historical connections and diplomatic relations towards a partnership that delivers tangible benefits in trade, investment, tourism, employment and cultural exchange.
