The Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance Drew, has paid a courtesy call on the Management of the University of Ghana (UG) as part of efforts to deepen academic, cultural and diaspora relations between Ghana and the Caribbean nation.
Dr. Drew, who also serves as Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ghana’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Dzifa Abla Gomashie, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ketu South.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Drew highlighted the strong historical and cultural links between West Africa and the Caribbean, noting that a significant number of Caribbean citizens trace their ancestry to West Africa.
He explained that the visit forms part of broader efforts to reconnect Africa and the Caribbean through education, research and people-to-people engagement.
Dr. Drew also referenced the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Education of St. Kitts and Nevis and the University of Ghana, describing it as more than a formal agreement.
According to him, the partnership represents a bridge between the youth of both regions and creates opportunities for collaboration in climate resilience, agriculture, public health, digital innovation, sustainable development and diaspora studies.
As Chairman of CARICOM, he further pointed to ongoing regional discussions on reparations, emphasising the important role academic institutions must play in providing research and evidence to support global advocacy efforts, including discussions at the United Nations.
He stressed that political initiatives must be supported by rigorous scholarly research and institutional collaboration.
Welcoming the delegation, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, described the visit as a reaffirmation of the University’s commitment to strengthening engagement with the African diaspora.
She explained that although the University has historically collaborated extensively with institutions in the Global North, there is now a growing strategic focus on building stronger partnerships within Africa and across the African diaspora.
Professor Amfo assured the delegation that the University is ready to translate the MoU into practical outcomes, proposing areas of collaboration such as student and faculty exchanges, joint research initiatives, heritage and diaspora studies, and climate change adaptation research.
She reiterated that the University of Ghana remains committed to serving as a bridge between Africa and the global African diaspora.
Also speaking at the meeting, Hon. Dzifa Abla Gomashie emphasised the need for knowledge exchange that supports the growth of the creative economy, particularly in creating sustainable opportunities for youth engagement and economic empowerment.
She also disclosed that her Ministry has established a dedicated committee on reparations and has received encouraging signals from some countries willing to return Ghanaian artefacts currently held abroad.
The Special Envoy to the Prime Minister, Ama Martin, who has strong Ghanaian heritage ties, proposed the establishment of a bilateral committee comprising representatives from both sides to regularly engage and operationalise the partnership.
In a further boost to regional connectivity, Prime Minister Drew revealed that discussions are underway to establish direct flights between West Africa and the Caribbean, a development expected to enhance academic mobility, tourism and broader collaboration between the regions.
Other GCNews
SIC Donates ICT Equipment Worth GHS101,000 to UHAS
No Comment! Be the first one.