KINGSTON, Jamaica — Retired Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell has a standing invitation to visit Ghana from the country’s president, John Dramani Mahama, following the leader’s visit to St Ann this week.

“Indeed we have already virtually commanded him to visit Ghana; he has already benefitted from Ghana with his lovely wife, but we are now going to put him to work,” Mahama said, speaking at Seville Heritage Park in St Ann.

Powell’s wife Alyshia Miller-Powell is of Ghanaian heritage. The pair share three sons.

The family was present at the event where Mahama mentioned in particular youth sport leagues, inviting the Jamaican sprint legend to visit Ghana to inspire the nation’s young athletes, underscoring the strong cultural and sporting ties between Jamaica and Ghana.

“We will invite him as a special guest to come and inspire our young people to be faster than him,” Mahama said with a laugh.

Mahama has been feted by various government ministers and travelled the island during his four-day state visit.

Both Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Mahama have indicated that the visit is expected to fuel tangible outcomes, including possible inclusion of the Caribbean in Africa’s free trade agreement.