President John Dramani Mahama is set to embark on a historic four-day official visit to Jamaica aimed at strengthening Ghana’s longstanding ties with the Caribbean nation, expanding cooperation with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and advancing the global campaign for reparations over the transatlantic slave trade.
The visit, scheduled from Sunday, August 2 to Wednesday, August 5, 2026, will see President Mahama engage in a series of high-level diplomatic, economic, cultural and historical activities in Kingston and other parts of Jamaica.
According to a statement issued by the Presidency Communications Office on Thursday, July 30, 2026, the visit underscores Ghana’s commitment to reinforcing its relationship with the Caribbean while promoting greater collaboration between Africa and the African Diaspora.
The Presidency noted that the visit follows Ghana’s recent humanitarian assistance to Jamaica after the Caribbean country was struck by a major natural disaster, describing the trip as a demonstration of Ghana’s solidarity with its Caribbean partners during periods of recovery and resilience.
A major highlight of President Mahama’s visit will be his participation in a high-level Reparations Dialogue at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus.
The dialogue will bring together President Mahama and Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies and Chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Commission, to discuss renewed efforts to seek reparative justice for the transatlantic slave trade and its enduring social and economic consequences.
The Presidency said the engagement builds on Ghana’s leadership within the African Union and CARICOM’s longstanding advocacy for reparations, reflecting a shared commitment to addressing historical injustices suffered by people of African descent.
As part of activities commemorating the deep historical links between Ghana and Jamaica, President Mahama will lay a wreath at the shrine of Jamaica’s National Hero, The Right Honourable Marcus Mosiah Garvey, at the National Heroes Park.
He is also expected to visit Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann, where preserved Ghanaian Village Houses stand as enduring symbols of the ancestral connections between the two countries.
The visit is expected to reinforce cultural and historical bonds while celebrating the shared Pan-African identity that continues to unite Africa and the Caribbean.
President Mahama will hold bilateral discussions with Jamaican Prime Minister and senior government officials at the Office of the Prime Minister.
The talks will focus on expanding cooperation in trade, culture, investment and broader South-South partnerships.
As part of efforts to strengthen economic relations, the President will participate in a Trade and Investment Dialogue and tour the Kingston Freeport, hosted by the Port Authority of Jamaica, to explore opportunities for enhanced commercial collaboration between Ghana and Jamaica.
During the visit, President Mahama will address a joint sitting of Jamaica’s Houses of Parliament at the George William Gordon House, where he is expected to outline his vision for a stronger strategic partnership between Africa and the Caribbean.
His itinerary also includes a courtesy meeting with Jamaica’s Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding, MP.
President Mahama will further join Jamaicans in celebrating the country’s 64th Independence Anniversary by attending the “Mello-Go-Roun” cultural event at the National Arena.
The visit will conclude with a State Dinner hosted in his honour by Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen at King’s House.
The Presidency expressed confidence that the visit would further deepen diplomatic relations, promote economic and cultural cooperation, and reinforce the shared commitment of Ghana and Jamaica to advancing Pan-African unity and the global reparations movement.
By 1960news.com
