Ghana: reparations related to slavery at the heart of the president’s visit to Jamaica

Ghana raised this issue before the United Nations in March, calling for international mobilization in favor of reparations. Jamaica, for its part, intends to present a request to King Charles III in September to advance this initiative with the British monarchy.

John Dramani Mahama praised the Jamaican initiative and assured that his country fully supports it. According to him, the approaches taken by both states may differ but aim for the same goal, which is the recognition of the injustices related to slavery and its historical consequences.

“Several paths can lead to the same destination,” said the Ghanaian president, believing that the Jamaican request to the British monarch aligns with the action taken by Accra at the United Nations. He also emphasized the importance of coordination between the countries and communities affected by this legacy.

Historical and Pan-African Links

The presidential visit is also intended to strengthen economic relations between Jamaica and Ghana. The two leaders have advocated for increased exchanges and the establishment of direct air links between the two countries.

Kingston and Accra rely on a shared political and cultural history, notably represented by Marcus Garvey and Kwame Nkrumah. The Jamaican activist championed the unity and rights of black people around the world, while the Ghanaian leader is considered one of the fathers of African independence and pan-Africanism.

The Jamaican Prime Minister noted that the ideas of Marcus Garvey and the political actions of Kwame Nkrumah helped lay the foundations for relations between the two nations. He referenced shared convictions around freedom, dignity, sovereignty, and the right to self-determination.

Cooperation between the two countries thus stands both in a shared historical memory and in the desire to develop their current exchanges. Discussions focus particularly on transportation, trade relations, and strengthening ties between the Caribbean and West Africa.