Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama is now in Kingston for a four-day state visit, aimed at strengthening diplomatic, economic and cultural ties between his country and Jamaica, while deepening cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean.

The President was received with full state honours at the Norman Washington Manley International Airport by senior Jamaican government officials last evening, led by Chief of State Protocol, Ambassador Sandra Grant Griffiths. Also present were Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, and Ghana’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, Ambassador Kofi Attor.

President Mahama is accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; Deputy Defence Minister, Ernest Brogya Genfi; Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Khadija Iddrisu, and other senior government officials.

The August 2-5 visit will focus on strengthening bilateral relations, promoting trade and investment, expanding cultural cooperation, and advancing the global reparations agenda. A key highlight will be President Mahama’s participation in a Reparations Dialogue at the University of the West Indies alongside Chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Commission, Sir Hilary Beckles.

The President is also expected to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister, Dr. Andrew Holness, address a joint sitting of Jamaica’s Parliament, visit the Marcus Garvey Mausoleum and the Ghanaian Village at Seville Heritage Park, and participate in activities marking Jamaica’s 64th Independence Anniversary.

The visit is expected to open a new chapter in Ghana-Jamaica relations and strengthen cooperation between Ghana and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)