President Mahama pushes direct flights between Ghana and Jamaica

President John Dramani Mahama has called for the fast-tracking of a Bilateral Air Services Agreement between Ghana and Jamaica to pave the way for direct flights between Accra and Montego Bay, describing improved air connectivity as essential to strengthening trade, tourism and investment between Africa and the Caribbean.

Speaking at a joint media encounter with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness in Kingston, President Mahama said both leaders had agreed that stronger transport links would be central to unlocking the full potential of bilateral relations.

“We must fast-track the implementation of our Bilateral Air Services Agreement, which is currently before Ghana’s Parliament,” President Mahama said.

He explained that once operational, the agreement would allow direct flights between Accra and Montego Bay through national or third-party carriers.

“Once operational, the agreement will allow direct flights between Accra and Montego Bay through national or third-party carriers,” he stated.

President Mahama said the proposed air link would facilitate the movement of people, goods and services while opening new opportunities for businesses in both countries.

He disclosed that he and Prime Minister Holness had discussed bringing Ghanaian and Jamaican businesses together to encourage cross-investment and expand commercial partnerships.

“There are enormous investment opportunities in both Ghana and Jamaica that our private sectors should take advantage of,” he said.

President Mahama noted that Ghana offered investors access to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which provides entry to a market of 54 countries with a population of about 1.4 billion people and a combined gross domestic product of nearly US$3 trillion.

He also encouraged Ghanaian businesses to explore investment opportunities in Jamaica, particularly in real estate, construction, manufacturing and other productive sectors.

The President stressed that stronger air connectivity should be complemented by improved maritime transport to deepen trade between Africa and the Caribbean.

“We must increase trade between Ghana and Jamaica, and that requires stronger transport and logistics links,” he said.

“Direct air services will be an important first step in strengthening our commercial relations.”

President Mahama observed that both Ghana and Jamaica were strategically positioned as maritime hubs and could leverage that advantage to strengthen Atlantic trade.

“Our goal is to transform the Atlantic Ocean from a barrier into a bridge connecting Africa and the Caribbean,” he said.

He disclosed that the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Maritime Authority had briefed Prime Minister Holness on efforts to improve Atlantic connectivity through enhanced shipping services.

President Mahama expressed confidence that direct air services and maritime transshipment routes linking West Africa and the Caribbean would soon become a reality.

“I am confident that we will soon have direct air services between West Africa and the Caribbean as well as direct maritime transshipment services for goods,” he said.

Richard Aniagyei, ISD