Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, met with Jamaican Foreign Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith in Kingston, Jamaica, on August 2, 2026. This meeting served as a crucial preparatory step for President John Dramani Mahama’s upcoming historic state visit to the Caribbean nation. President Mahama’s visit follows an invitation from Jamaican Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness.
During their engagement, both Foreign Ministers expressed strong optimism about deepening cooperation between Ghana and Jamaica. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations across several key sectors. These areas include trade, culture, maritime affairs, education, and health, alongside other sectors of mutual interest to both nations.
This diplomatic engagement fits into Ghana’s broader strategy of reinforcing its ties with the African diaspora and Caribbean nations. Ghana has consistently advocated for stronger South-South cooperation and the advancement of the reparations agenda for historical injustices. President Mahama’s visit is expected to build on previous diplomatic efforts to foster these relationships.
Senator Kamina Johnson Smith welcomed Minister Ablakwa to Kingston, highlighting the significance of his visit during Jamaica’s emancipation and independence celebrations. She stated, "It is an absolute pleasure and honour to welcome you once more to Kingston, Jamaica, and how much more pleasure it gives us that this is your visit during our emancipation and independence celebration time." This underscores the cultural and historical resonance of the visit.
The upcoming state visit will feature several significant activities. President Mahama is scheduled to address a joint sitting of Jamaica’s Parliament, a highlight for state visits. He will also lay a wreath at the shrine of Jamaica’s first national hero, the Right Honourable Marcus Garvey, who influenced Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. The Ghanaian delegation will also visit Seville, a heritage site, to learn about Jamaica’s African heritage and the history of the transatlantic slave trade.
The visit will also provide a vital platform to continue discussions on the reparations agenda. Senator Johnson Smith noted President Mahama’s active role in pushing this issue at the United Nations General Assembly. Minister Ablakwa confirmed that President Mahama would endorse Jamaica’s petition on the reparations agenda, reaffirming Ghana’s support for this shared pursuit of justice.
President Mahama will receive a formal welcome with a full military guard at King’s House. He will also participate in cultural activities, including a major cultural event and a reparations dialogue at the University of the West Indies. Minister Ablakwa expressed appreciation for the carefully planned programme, stating President Mahama is honored to be the first Ghanaian president to address Jamaica’s joint sitting of Parliament.
Beyond the public engagements, President Mahama will hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Holness, the leader of the opposition, and other key stakeholders. Both ministers emphasized that Ghana and Jamaica are partners united by shared history and common interests. They pledged to continue working together to strengthen relations between the two countries, describing their nations as being "on the same page, in the same struggle."