Ghana is working to expand its oil and gas partnerships with Trinidad and Tobago while strengthening trade and maritime cooperation with other Caribbean countries, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced.
The Minister made this known following his participation in the just-ended Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda, where he held engagements with officials from key Caribbean partner countries.
In a meeting with Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Sean S. M. Sobers, Ablakwa discussed opportunities for new investments and the expansion of cooperation in the oil and gas sector.
He also announced that Ghana is expected to commission its new High Commission in Trinidad next year, with William Anani Abotsi serving as the country’s first High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago.
Ghana, Jamaica advance port cooperation
Ablakwa also highlighted progress in Ghana’s relations with Jamaica following his meeting with the country’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith.
The discussions focused on the Ghana-Jamaica Port Cooperation Agreement, which the Minister said was ready for implementation.
Under the proposed arrangement, the Tema Port and the Port of Kingston are expected to establish comprehensive cooperation aimed at boosting trade, logistics, maritime activities and job creation.
The Minister further disclosed that Ghana’s latest group of nurses had arrived in Jamaica under the labour mobility programme negotiated between the two countries last year.
Plans for direct flights between Ghana and the Caribbean
Ablakwa also revealed that Ghana was finalising air services agreements with Caribbean countries to facilitate direct flight arrangements between the two regions.
“We are finalizing air services agreements with our Caribbean friends to work out direct flight arrangements between Ghana and the Caribbean when the ongoing revival of Ghana Airways is completed,” he said.
Beyond bilateral cooperation, the Minister said Ghana used its participation at the Commonwealth meeting to advance discussions on issues affecting Africa and the wider international community.
These included reforms to the United Nations, the international financial architecture, artificial intelligence regulation, climate justice, resource sovereignty, reparatory justice and conflict resolution.
The engagements form part of Ghana’s efforts to strengthen diplomatic relations and expand economic cooperation with strategic partners across the Caribbean.
By:Rachael Djabakie