UNIA president urges Jamaica and Ghana to forge direct air links, boost trade

The president of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in Jamaica, Steven Golding, is advocating for stronger ties between Jamaica and Ghana. He specifically called for direct air links, expanded trade, and more robust educational exchanges between the two nations.

Golding's remarks came during a visit by Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama to the Seville Great House in St Ann on August 4. He emphasized that the relationship should be solidified through practical measures benefiting citizens on both sides of the Atlantic. "We need to also think about educational exchanges," Golding stated, believing that collaboration between Jamaican and Ghanaian institutions would deepen understanding of their shared history and culture.

“

We need to also think about educational exchanges.

Increased trade and investment were also highlighted, with Golding pointing to opportunities in products and industries reflecting their common heritage. He offered a unique example: "A lot of people don’t know that Ghanaians don’t eat ackee even though we brought ackee here from Ghana. And while the trees line the streets, they don’t eat it. So, we need to start thinking about ackee factories in Ghana that can supply a large Jamaican and Caribbean diaspora and community."

Improving transportation links was seen as crucial for boosting tourism, commerce, and academic collaboration. Golding noted Barbados's announcement of twice-monthly flights to Ghana and suggested Jamaica could similarly establish direct flights. He believes easier travel would foster greater people-to-people exchanges and create new avenues for business, education, and cultural cooperation. President Mahama's visit to Jamaica was scheduled to conclude on August 5.

“

A lot of people don’t know that Ghanaians don’t eat ackee even though we brought ackee here from Ghana. And while the trees line the streets, they don’t eat it. So, we need to start thinking about ackee factories in Ghana that can supply a large Jamaican and Caribbean diaspora and community.