Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has outlined an ambitious vision to position Ghana and Jamaica as strategic gateways connecting Africa with the Americas, saying stronger economic cooperation between the two countries could unlock new trade and investment opportunities across three continents.
Addressing a joint sitting of Jamaica’s Houses of Parliament during the state visit of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday August 4, 2026, Holness said Ghana’s position as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and Jamaica’s growing status as a regional logistics hub present a unique opportunity to deepen commercial ties.
“For a Jamaican or Caribbean enterprise, Ghana can be the doorway to Africa. And for a Ghanaian or African enterprise, Jamaica can be the doorway to the Americas,” the Prime Minister declared.
Holness said the vision goes beyond diplomacy and is aimed at creating a practical trade and logistics corridor linking West Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America.
He noted that President Mahama witnessed Jamaica’s investment in the Port of Kingston during his visit, describing it as one of the region’s premier logistics and transshipment hubs. He added that Ghana’s expanded ports have similarly positioned the country as a leading gateway to West Africa.
“The alignment is clear. By connecting our ports, our peoples and our markets, we can together build a West Africa-Caribbean-Latin America trade logistics corridor,” he said.
According to the Prime Minister, the renewed focus on economic cooperation follows the successful convening of the Third Jamaica-Ghana Permanent Joint Commission on Cooperation in Accra earlier this year after more than two decades of inactivity.
The meeting, jointly led by Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson-Smith, produced key agreements, including a framework for recruiting Ghanaian health professionals to Jamaica’s public health system, a Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation, and an amendment to the bilateral agreement on arts and culture.
Holness described the agreements as laying a strong foundation for deeper collaboration in sectors critical to the development of both countries.
He revealed that President Mahama has tasked Minister Ablakwa to work closely with Minister Johnson-Smith on developing a roadmap to advance the shared vision of expanded trade and institutional cooperation.
The Jamaican leader urged both governments to build on the momentum generated by the state visit by translating political goodwill into concrete economic partnerships.
“We must move decisively towards building the practical architecture that will facilitate stronger institutional partnerships, increased commercial engagement, enhanced cultural exchange and a renewed commitment to working together for the benefit of our peoples,” Holness said.
He concluded by expressing confidence that the longstanding friendship between Jamaica and Ghana would continue to flourish while delivering tangible economic benefits for both nations.
CREDIT: MAVIS FANTEVI