President John Dramani Mahama called for stronger cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean, addressing the Joint Session of the Jamaican Parliament during the country’s 64th Independence Day celebration, where he outlined opportunities in trade, climate justice and multilateral reform while commending Jamaica’s recovery from Hurricane Melissa.
President Mahama opened by framing the 21st century as a defining moment for both Africa and the Caribbean, pointing to Africa’s demographic and economic potential alongside Jamaica’s global leadership on key international issues.
“The Caribbean and Jamaica continue to exercise global leadership on climate justice, sustainable development, democracy, and multilateral cooperation,” he said.
He described Jamaica’s strategic position as a gateway to wider American and Caribbean markets, arguing that combined, the two regions possess substantial human talent and economic potential. “History has connected us, and the future now calls upon us to work together with greater ambition,” he said.
Strengthening Multilateral Cooperation
President Mahama called for closer coordination between the African Union and CARICOM, along with deeper collaboration within the United Nations and other multilateral institutions, arguing that unified positions would carry greater global weight.
“Whether the challenge is climate change, reform of the international financial architecture, food security, public health, or digital transformation, our voices will carry greater weight if we speak together”.
President John Dramani Mahama
The Accra Reset Conference and Global Reform
President Mahama connected his broader vision to the Accra Reset Conference, describing it as a response to structural barriers facing developing nations in global financial and trade systems.
“Too many developing countries continue to confront structural barriers to financing and equal trading arrangements and inadequate representation in global decision-making bodies,” he said.
He outlined the initiative’s goals, including accelerated industrialisation, national resource sovereignty and stronger youth skills development, while reaffirming Ghana’s advocacy for reforming the UN Security Council to include permanent African representation.
AfCFTA as a Gateway for Caribbean Business
President Mahama highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area, headquartered in Accra, as a significant opportunity for expanded commercial relations between the two regions.
“With a market of more than 1.4 billion people, it provides Jamaican businesses with a gateway to Africa, just as Jamaica can serve as an important bridge for Africa’s engagement with the Caribbean and the Americas,” he said.
He called for stronger trade and investment ties, joint business ventures, and deeper cooperation across agriculture, tourism, maritime transport, renewable energy, digital technology, education, healthcare and creative industries.
University Partnerships Already Underway
President Mahama pointed to existing academic cooperation between the two nations as a foundation for expanded collaboration, noting the twinning relationship between the University of the West Indies and his own alma mater.
As island and coastal nations, President Mahama identified the blue economy as another area of mutual interest, calling for joint efforts to protect marine resources and strengthen maritime security while creating new economic opportunities.
Climate Justice for Vulnerable Nations
President Mahama addressed the disproportionate impact of climate change on Africa and the Caribbean despite their minimal contribution to global emissions, calling for coordinated advocacy on climate finance and resilience investment.
“Together we must advocate climate justice, expand access to climate finance, and invest in resilient structures that protect our communities and secure our future,” he said.
President Mahama highlighted Ghana’s direct assistance to Jamaica following the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa, describing the deployment of the Ghana Armed Forces Engineers Regiment to support reconstruction efforts.
He described the mission as rooted in solidarity rather than obligation, framing it within the broader tradition of Pan-African cooperation. “Their mission was not one of compassion. It was a mission of brotherhood and solidarity in true African tradition. It was not simply an engineering assignment. It was a practical demonstration of Pan-African solidarity,” he said.
Praise for Jamaica’s Resilience
President Mahama commended the professionalism of Ghana’s military personnel involved in the recovery effort, before turning to praise Jamaica’s own resilience in rebuilding since the hurricane struck.
“Since our visit here in Kingston, Jamaica, one would hardly recognise that Lady Melissa came through here. Jamaica has bounced back. It reflects Jamaica’s resilience, and I commend you”.
President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama closed by describing the Ghana-Jamaica relationship as a potential model for broader Africa-Caribbean cooperation, one built on genuine solidarity tested through both celebration and adversity.
Taken together, President Mahama’s remarks outlined an ambitious agenda spanning trade, multilateral reform, climate justice and disaster response cooperation, positioning the relationship between Ghana and Jamaica as a template for deeper structural partnership between Africa and the Caribbean going forward.
His emphasis on translating historical bonds into practical economic and diplomatic outcomes reflects a consistent theme throughout his Jamaica visit, extending beyond symbolic goodwill toward concrete proposals for institutional and economic cooperation between the two regions.
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