President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to strengthen economic cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean through expanded trade, investment and transportation partnerships, as Ghana prepares to take on a greater leadership role within the African Union (AU). Editorial Standards
The President said closer economic relations between the two regions could create new opportunities for businesses, improve access to international markets and promote shared economic development.
He also highlighted the potential of connecting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to establish a broader trading partnership.
According to reports, Mahama made the remarks during bilateral discussions with the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Philip Edward Davis, on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda.
The discussions focused on identifying practical areas of cooperation that could strengthen commercial relations between African and Caribbean countries while addressing existing barriers to trade.
Mahama explained that Ghana intends to use its upcoming one year chairmanship of the African Union to advance initiatives that will strengthen continental integration, with AfCFTA serving as a central part of its agenda.
He noted that although most African countries have signed the relevant AfCFTA protocols, greater commitment is required to ensure their effective implementation and translate the agreement into meaningful economic opportunities.
The President said Ghana was particularly interested in exploring ways to connect AfCFTA with CARICOM, which represents Caribbean countries, to create a much larger economic market. Editorial Ethics & Independence
He believes such an arrangement could strengthen trade between the two regions and provide businesses with access to markets that have historically remained difficult to reach.
Mahama also recalled his earlier diplomatic engagement with Jamaica, where he held discussions with Prime Minister Andrew Holness on the possibility of establishing stronger economic relations between Africa and the Caribbean.
During that engagement, the President indicated that Ghana would use its position within the African Union to advocate for closer cooperation between AfCFTA and CARICOM.
He suggested that support from Caribbean governments, including The Bahamas, would be important in advancing the proposal and addressing trade barriers that restrict commercial activities between the two regions.
Beyond trade agreements, Mahama identified transportation infrastructure as another important area requiring attention if the proposed partnership is to achieve its objectives.
He proposed establishing direct air travel connections between Africa and the Caribbean to make movement between the regions easier for businesspeople, tourists and other travellers.
Improved air connectivity, he explained, could encourage greater interaction between businesses, facilitate investment discussions and strengthen cultural and professional exchanges.
The President also highlighted the need for better maritime connections, particularly through direct port-to-port arrangements that would reduce the lengthy shipping routes currently involved in transporting goods between the two regions.
He argued that more efficient shipping arrangements would make trade less complicated, reduce logistical challenges and improve the competitiveness of businesses seeking to operate across both markets.
Labour mobility and the exchange of professional expertise also emerged as important components of the proposed economic partnership.
Mahama disclosed that preliminary discussions had already started on possible labour exchange arrangements between Africa and Caribbean countries.
Such arrangements could create opportunities for skilled professionals and workers to access employment opportunities in different markets while allowing both regions to benefit from shared knowledge, experience and expertise.
The proposals come against the background of growing efforts to make AfCFTA a more effective instrument for economic transformation across Africa. Corrections Policy
Headquartered in Accra, Ghana, the agreement seeks to establish a single continental market covering approximately 1.4 billion people, with a combined gross domestic product approaching US$3 trillion.
Although its primary objective is to increase trade among African countries, stronger international partnerships could expand opportunities for businesses looking to access markets outside the continent.
For Caribbean countries, closer engagement with Africa could provide opportunities to strengthen commercial relationships, attract investment and explore new markets for agricultural products, manufactured goods and services.
Similarly, African businesses could benefit from improved access to Caribbean economies, creating opportunities for exporters, manufacturers, investors and service providers.
The proposed connection between AfCFTA and CARICOM would therefore represent an opportunity to transform the longstanding historical and cultural relationship between the two regions into a more commercially beneficial partnership.
However, achieving this ambition will require more than diplomatic commitments. Governments will need to address regulatory differences, establish practical trade arrangements, improve transportation infrastructure and encourage private-sector participation.
Ghana’s proposed leadership role within the African Union could provide an important platform for advancing these discussions and encouraging other African countries to support the initiative.
President Mahama’s engagement with the Bahamian Prime Minister is therefore part of a wider diplomatic effort to strengthen South-South cooperation and promote economic relationships that deliver practical benefits to developing countries.Newscard
If successfully implemented, the proposed partnership could improve trade flows, attract investment, create employment opportunities and strengthen economic ties between Africa and the Caribbean.
The President’s vision is to move the relationship between the two regions beyond their shared history and towards a stronger economic alliance built on trade, connectivity and mutual development.