DESPITE a full schedule during his just concluded three-day visit to the island, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa found time to meet with members of the Ghana Association in Jamaica for intense discussions last Saturday.

Ablakwa engaged in a question and answer session with the approximately 80 participants while providing updates on the economic progress achieved in Ghana during the first year of President John Mahama’s second term in office.

Ablakwa, in his address, spoke to the challenges facing the Ghanaian community in Jamaica, including the absence of direct flights to and from Ghana.

He also raised issues including free visa passage for Jamaicans visiting Ghana, increased cultural ties and diplomatic relations via Ghana’s regional embassy in Havana, Cuba, and the possibility of Ghana reinstituting a consul general in Jamaica who would liaise with the embassy in Havana.

Ablakwa further pointed to follow-up visitation of the contingent of more than 50 army engineers helping in the restoration of western Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Melissa late last year; teacher and nursing exchange programmes between Ghana and Jamaica; exploration of tourism, trade, and commerce opportunities for both countries; and Ghana’s possible integration into Caricom.

Ablakwa was accompanied on his visit by the president’s Special Envoy to the Caribbean King Kwesi Darkwah, two diplomats from the Ghanaian Embassy in Havana, and others from the public and private sector.

Among those in attendance at last Saturday’s meeting are (from left) Ghana Association in Jamaica (GAHJAM) Deputy Treasurer David Atutah; Dr Joshua Ababio; GAHJAM General Secretary Charles Koomson; Deputy Director Americas Bureau in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ghana Ayishetu Abdullah; and Head of Consular Section of the Ghana Embassy in Havana, Cuba Charles Agyeman.

Ahead of proceedings, president of the Ghana Association in Jamaica Dr William Brown (left) greets Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Ghana Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

Charted accountant Patricia Henry-Brown (centre) shares a moment with (from left) Lisa & Company International realtor Lisa Watt; Nielssen’s Properties real estate agent Jennifer Clarke; Marcia Richardson of Richardson’s Real Estate; and Nielssen’s Properties CEO Jacqui Nielssen. (Photos courtesy of the Ghana Association in Jamaica)

President of the Ghana Association in Jamaica Dr William Brown (left) and his chartered accountant wife Patricia Henry-Brown share the frame with King Kwesi Darkwah, Ghana’s special envoy to the Caribbean region.