President John Dramani Mahama will undertake a historic four-day official visit to Kingston, Jamaica, from Sunday, August 2, to Wednesday, August 5, 2026, aimed at revitalising Ghana-Caribbean relations and advancing the global reparations agenda.
The Presidency confirmed the visit in a statement issued and signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, MP, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening historical and diplomatic ties between Ghana and Jamaica.
According to the statement, the visit is designed to deepen the long-standing historical and diplomatic relationship between Ghana and Jamaica while encouraging greater cooperation with the wider Caribbean Community.
“President John Dramani Mahama will make a four-day official visit to Kingston from Sunday, 2 August to Wednesday, 5 August 2026. The visit is meant to strengthen the long-standing historical and diplomatic ties between Ghana and Jamaica and encourage more cooperation with the Caribbean Community”
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, MP, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications
Visit Follows Ghana’s Disaster Relief Support
The trip comes shortly after Ghana provided support and relief to Jamaica following a major natural disaster, with the Presidency framing the visit as a demonstration of Ghana’s continued solidarity with its Caribbean partners.
A central objective of the visit is to push forward calls for reparations related to the transatlantic slave trade and its lasting effects, building on Ghana’s leadership role within the African Union alongside CARICOM’s own advocacy efforts on the issue.
“A key goal of the visit is to push forward the call for reparations for the transatlantic slave trade and its lasting effects. Building on Ghana’s leadership in the African Union and CARICOM’s efforts, President Mahama will join a high-level Reparations Dialogue at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, with Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of UWI and Chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Commission”
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, MP, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications
The President’s itinerary includes several symbolic engagements reflecting the historical connections between Ghana and Jamaica.
President Mahama is expected to lay a wreath at the shrine of National Hero the Right Honourable Marcus Mosiah Garvey at National Heroes Park, alongside a visit to Seville Heritage Park in St Ann to view preserved Ghanaian Village Houses.
Bilateral Talks and Parliamentary Address
According to the official itinerary, high-level bilateral talks will take place at the Office of the Prime Minister, focusing on trade, culture and South-South cooperation between the two nations.
President Mahama is also scheduled to address a joint session of the Houses of Parliament at George William Gordon House, where he will share his vision for a stronger Africa-Caribbean partnership.
The visit includes a Trade and Investment Dialogue alongside a tour of the Kingston Freeport, hosted by the Port Authority of Jamaica. This component of the trip reflects the economic dimension of the visit, positioning trade expansion as a key pillar alongside the historical and diplomatic elements of the programme.
Meeting With Opposition Leader and Cultural Celebrations
The itinerary also includes a courtesy visit from the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Mark Golding, MP, reflecting engagement across Jamaica’s political spectrum during the visit.
President Mahama is also expected to attend the “Mello-Go-Roun” cultural event at the National Arena as Jamaica marks its 64th Independence Anniversary, tying the visit to a significant national celebration within the host country.
Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen will host a State Dinner in honour of President Mahama at King’s House, marking one of the formal diplomatic highlights of the four-day visit.
A New Direction for Ghana-Jamaica Relations
The Presidency described the visit as a pivotal moment capable of reshaping the relationship between the two nations, while positioning Ghana as a broader gateway connecting CARICOM with the African continent.
“This important visit will set a new direction for Ghana-Jamaica relations, help Ghana become a gateway for CARICOM’s engagement with Africa, and show a united effort in seeking reparations, economic strength, and South-South cooperation worldwide”.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, MP, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications
President Mahama’s visit to Jamaica represents a significant diplomatic undertaking that weaves together disaster relief solidarity, historical reconciliation, economic cooperation and the ongoing global push for reparative justice tied to the transatlantic slave trade.
With engagements spanning government institutions, cultural landmarks and trade infrastructure, the four-day visit is positioned to strengthen Ghana’s role within the broader Pan-African and Caribbean diaspora movement, while opening new avenues for economic and diplomatic collaboration between West Africa and the Caribbean region.
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