Ghana, Caribbean Finalising Air Services Agreements For Direct Flights – Ablakwa

Ghana is finalising air services agreements with its Caribbean partners to pave the way for direct flight arrangements between Ghana and the Caribbean, Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has disclosed.

The direct flights are expected to take off when the ongoing revival of Ghana Airways is completed.

Mr Ablakwa made the disclosure after a series of bilateral engagements on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda, where air connectivity emerged as a key priority in Ghana’s deepening relations with the Caribbean.

He said the agreements, once finalised, will work out direct flight arrangements to boost movement between Ghana and its Caribbean friends, and support the growing trade, tourism and people-to-people relations between the two regions.

The Minister noted that the push for direct air connectivity complements Ghana’s new Visa Waiver for all categories of passport holders for Antigua and Barbuda, which is expected to bring the two sides closer.

According to Mr Ablakwa, improved air links will also strengthen ongoing cooperation in areas such as labour mobility, trade and investment.

He pointed to the impressive impact being made by the first group of 120 Ghanaian nurses in Antigua and Barbuda, which has led to a request for more health workers, and the arrival of Ghana’s latest group of nurses in Jamaica under the labour mobility programme negotiated last year.

On trade, Mr Ablakwa said the Ghana-Jamaica Port Cooperation Agreement is now ready, with the Tema Port and the Port of Kingston expected to collaborate comprehensively to boost trade, logistics, maritime cooperation and job creation.

He also held discussions with the Foreign Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency Sean S.M. Sobers (MP), on new investments and expanding oil and gas partnerships, and announced that Ghana will commission its new High Commission in Trinidad next year.

Mr Ablakwa said Ghana, as incoming Chair of the African Union next year, is forging closer ties with international allies to advance Africa’s case for UN reforms, permanent representation on the UN Security Council, reconfiguration of the international financial architecture, AI regulation, climate justice, resource sovereignty, reparatory justice and conflict resolution.

Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/