President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to deepen Ghana’s diplomatic, economic and cultural relations with Caribbean countries, including visa waiver agreements, direct air connectivity and the possible extension of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework to the Caribbean.
He made the announcement during an interaction with members of the Ghanaian community in Antigua and Barbuda on the sidelines of the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2026) in St. John’s.
President Mahama said Ghana was working closely with Caribbean leaders to strengthen historical ties between the two regions and create new opportunities for trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
He explained that the Caribbean shares deep ancestral and cultural connections with Africa, particularly Ghana, and stressed the need to translate those historical bonds into stronger economic cooperation.
“The Caribbean is a safe region. It has been declared by the African Union, and so you are not out of Africa,” he told the gathering.
The President cited Ghana’s collaboration with Caribbean countries on the reparations agenda as an example of the growing partnership, noting that the coalition contributed to securing international support for a United Nations General Assembly resolution recognising the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity.
He said the historical relationship between Africa and the Caribbean remained evident in their shared ancestry, culture and traditions.
“When you come here, you see your uncles and aunties. You pass and swear that your auntie is here. Then, when you go and look at them, you speak with them, and they are speaking their slang.
They are the spitting image of somebody you know. So, it shows that we are one and the same people,” he said.
Ghana seeks to extend AfCFTA to the Caribbean
President Mahama disclosed that discussions were underway with Caribbean leaders, including Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, to explore ways of bringing Caribbean countries into the broader framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He said the initiative would create a larger economic market and enable African and Caribbean countries to trade with one another under more favourable conditions.
“We want the African Continental Free Trade Area to cover not only Africa but also the Caribbean, so that we can export duty-free into each other’s markets,” he announced.
The President said the proposal formed part of Ghana’s broader strategy to strengthen South-South cooperation and promote economic integration between Africa and the Caribbean.
Visa waiver agreements to facilitate travel
On mobility, President Mahama announced that Ghana was working towards signing visa waiver agreements with almost all Caribbean countries.
He said the arrangements would make it easier for citizens to travel between Ghana and Caribbean nations using ordinary passports, allowing families to reunite and strengthening social, cultural and business relationships.
“With the visa waivers that we are about to sign, it will be possible for relatives to come and visit, even on ordinary passports,” he said.
Ghana considers direct flights to the Caribbean
The President also disclosed that Ghana was exploring direct air connectivity between Africa and the Caribbean to facilitate trade, tourism and movement of people.
He indicated that the proposed establishment of a new national airline, Ghana Airways, could provide an opportunity to introduce direct flights to the Caribbean.
President Mahama recalled that a chartered flight had been arranged to transport the Ghanaian delegation to the Caribbean, expressing hope that future travellers would be able to purchase tickets and fly directly.
“I hope that will happen when we establish the new Ghana Airways,” he said.
He further revealed that a delegation from Boeing was assisting the government as consultants in efforts to establish the proposed national airline.
Government to create secure investment opportunities for diaspora
Addressing concerns about remittances and investments, President Mahama said his government was exploring more secure and structured opportunities for Ghanaians abroad to invest their earnings in Ghana.
He observed that some members of the diaspora relied on informal arrangements involving relatives and acquaintances to manage investments back home, sometimes resulting in financial losses.
He recounted how some people sent money to relatives, commonly referred to as “Wofa”, to undertake projects, only to return after completing their contracts and discover that the money or investments had disappeared.
“When you come out and you are working, you want to send some money back home. Often, you send that money to a ‘Wofa’ officer or somebody, and then you keep sending money back home.
They will be bringing you pictures, and you think everything is okay. Then, when you finish your contract and come back, ‘Wofa’ has disappeared,” he said.
He said the government wanted to establish reliable investment channels that would protect diaspora funds and generate sustainable returns.
Housing, he noted, was one of the major areas being considered, with plans to introduce mortgage financing to enable Ghanaians, including those living abroad, to acquire homes through long-term payment arrangements.
He said the proposed arrangement would allow beneficiaries to access mortgages over periods of 15 to 20 years and gradually pay for their properties.
The President encouraged Ghanaians abroad to take advantage of formal investment opportunities rather than depending on informal intermediaries.
Mahama assures diaspora of economic stability
President Mahama also assured Ghanaians in Antigua and Barbuda that the economy remained resilient despite the challenges in the global economic environment.
He said Ghana had maintained relative stability in inflation, interest rates and the cedi, despite external economic pressures.
“Before, if something like this had happened, our economy would collapse, the Cedi would jump, and inflation would go high. Interest rates would also go high. But I must say that inflation is holding, interest rates are holding, and the Cedi is holding its own,” he stated.
He expressed hope that developments in the global economy would improve following the American mid-term elections, creating room for Ghana to sustain its economic recovery and growth.
Healthcare reforms to create employment opportunities
The President further highlighted government interventions in the health sector, particularly measures aimed at improving healthcare delivery and creating employment opportunities for Ghanaian health professionals.
He cited the introduction of the Free Primary Healthcare Programme, which is expected to expand access to healthcare through the establishment and strengthening of health facilities, including Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds.
He also mentioned the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, established to support patients suffering from non-communicable diseases, and the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Scheme to ensure regular payment of claims to healthcare providers.
According to him, these interventions would strengthen the healthcare system and create opportunities for more professionals to be employed in Ghana.
President Mahama commended Ghanaian health professionals working in Antigua and Barbuda and other Caribbean countries for their dedication and contribution to healthcare delivery.
He urged them to remain committed to their profession, irrespective of the challenges they encounter.
“Whatever the circumstances are, once we choose that profession, then we are following Florence Nightingale’s footsteps. In whatever condition it is, we must show care and kindness to our patients,” he said.
He added that the government was also working to increase recruitment opportunities for health professionals who remained in Ghana.
President commends Ghanaians for making Ghana proud
President Mahama expressed appreciation to the Ghanaian community for their contribution to their host country and for projecting Ghana positively.
He said the professionalism and dedication of Ghanaians abroad had generated interest in recruiting more Ghanaian professionals to the Caribbean.
“Keep being the ambassadors that you are because everybody is impressed, and they are asking us to bring more professionals to come and join you,” he told the gathering.
The President concluded by assuring the community that he would convey their greetings to their relatives and loved ones back home, commending them for their hard work and commitment to making Ghana proud.
“I will take your greetings back home and tell all your relatives that you are doing well, that you miss all of them, and that you are working hard and making Ghana proud,” he said.
The engagement formed part of President Mahama’s diplomatic and community engagements during his participation in CHOGM 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda, held under the theme, “Accelerating Partnership and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth.”
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
