President John Dramani Mahama wrapped up his four-day official state visit to Jamaica on Tuesday with a visit to Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann, emphasizing the shared ancestral roots between Ghana and the Caribbean while renewing calls for direct flights to boost trade, tourism, and diplomacy.
During his visit to the historic site, where preserved Ghanaian Village Houses stand as a testament to the transatlantic slave trade, President Mahama laid a wreath in memory of the millions of Africans forcibly transported across the ocean.
Addressing dignitaries, cultural leaders, and foreign diplomats during a Great House Reception held in his honor, President Mahama stressed that the deep historical ties connecting the two nations must serve as the foundation for future economic growth.
“Ghana and Jamaica share common ancestry, history, and cultural traditions,” President Mahama said. “We must now focus on building a prosperous future through economic cooperation, tourism, education, investment, and people-to-people exchanges.”
The Ghanaian leader reiterated his push for the establishment of direct air transportation between West Africa and the Caribbean, noting that improved connectivity remains crucial to unlocking the full economic potential of both regions.
“Establishing a direct air link between Ghana and Jamaica will enhance tourism, trade, business, academic collaboration, and cultural exchange,” Mahama urged.
Jamaica’s foreign policy and cultural representatives warmly welcomed the Ghanaian President’s visit, affirming the deep bond between the two countries.
“Ghana and Jamaica are one family connected by shared ancestry and history,” said Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. She emphasized the urgency to “deepen cooperation and translate historical ties into stronger diplomatic and economic partnerships.”
Expressing gratitude for Ghana’s solidarity following recent disaster recovery efforts, Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia “Babsy” Grange, called for accelerated joint initiatives.
“We extend our deep appreciation to President Mahama and the people of Ghana for their support following Hurricane Melissa,” Grange stated, advocating for “greater collaboration in tourism and cultural development to drive economic growth.”
As part of the heritage tour, President Mahama walked through the Great House, built in 1745, which sits on land originally seized during the 1655 English conquest of Jamaica and once overlooked vast sugar plantations worked by enslaved Africans. The site was officially designated a National Monument by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust in 1999.
The four-day state visit concluded on Tuesday evening with a formal State Dinner hosted in President Mahama’s honor by the Governor-General of Jamaica, Sir Patrick Allen, and Lady Allen at the King’s House Ballroom in Kingston.
