President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to deepening relations with Grenada, describing the Caribbean island nation as a “brotherly partner” united with Ghana by history, culture, and shared aspirations.

Speaking at the Presidency in Accra, President Mahama extended a warm welcome to Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell and his delegation, noting that their visit marked an important milestone in the growing friendship between the two nations.

“Your presence here signifies a vital milestone in the expanding friendship between Ghana and Grenada,” he said.

“We are pleased to host you at a time when both nations are striving to strengthen cooperation founded on shared history, mutual respect, and a common vision for the prosperity and dignity of our people.”

The president reflected on the deep historical bonds connecting Africa and the Caribbean, shaped by centuries of shared struggle and resilience.

“The transatlantic slave trade may have sought to erase our connections, but it could not destroy our collective identity or resilience. The descendants of Africa and the Caribbean stand united, committed to turning shared pain into shared purpose,” he stated.

Expanding Cooperation

President Mahama highlighted the steady growth of Ghana–Grenada relations since diplomatic ties were established, noting progress in areas such as trade, education, culture, and political consultations.

He cited the 2024 visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic, service, special, and ordinary passports as a key milestone in improving mobility and cooperation.

He also referenced memoranda of understanding on culture, trade, education, and political consultations, which have created a structured framework for bilateral engagement.

“I’m confident that this mechanism will produce practical outcomes that deepen political, economic, and cultural engagement between our two nations,” he said.

Health, Education, and Trade Partnerships

President Mahama revealed that Ghana and Grenada had identified new opportunities for collaboration in health, education, agriculture, renewable energy, and tourism.

He described Grenada’s interest in recruiting Ghanaian nurses and allied health professionals as a promising opportunity for structured cooperation, praising Ghanaian health workers for their professionalism and compassion.

He further called for deeper educational partnerships through teacher exchanges, student mobility, and research collaborations, while identifying agriculture and renewable energy as sectors for joint innovation and growth.

Strengthening Afro-Caribbean Connectivity

President Mahama emphasised the need for direct air connectivity between Africa and the Caribbean, calling it “a strategic necessity” to enhance trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.

“Despite being only six hours apart by air, travel between our regions can take nearly a full day, often routed through Europe or North America. This limits the movement of people, goods, and services,” he said.

“Creating direct air links between Ghana and the Caribbean would unleash significant opportunities for trade, tourism, culture, and education.”

Reparations and Justice

Touching on a deeply symbolic issue, President Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s leadership in the global reparations movement for Africa and people of African descent.

“As the African Union Champion for Reparations, I see this cause not as a plea for charity but as a demand for justice and restoration,” he said, commending Grenada for being a strong advocate within CARICOM.

He revealed that Ghana planned to file a motion at the United Nations next year to declare slavery as one of the greatest crimes against humanity — and expressed confidence in Grenada’s support for this historic initiative.

A Toast to Shared Prosperity

President Mahama concluded by proposing a toast to the enduring friendship between Ghana and Grenada, celebrating their shared heritage and commitment to a prosperous common future.

“Let us build on our shared history to foster shared prosperity founded on trust, cooperation, and a deep belief in the common destiny of our peoples,” he said.

He raised a glass to the good health of Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, and to the continued progress and friendship of the peoples of Ghana and Grenada