President John Dramani Mahama last Tuesday brought his four-day state visit to Jamaica to a close with a visit to Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann, where he toured the preserved Ghanaian Village Houses.

The visit formed part of the President’s official engagements and highlighted the historical and cultural connections between Ghana and Jamaica.

It also served to reaffirm Ghana’s commitment to strengthening relations with Caribbean nations in the areas of culture, trade, investment and diplomacy.

Reception

At the heritage park, President Mahama laid a wreath in honour of Africans who were transported across the Atlantic during the transatlantic slave trade.

A Great House Reception was later held in his honour, and was attended by Jamaican government officials, cultural leaders, diplomats and members of the Ghanaian delegation.

The President also toured the Great House, which was constructed in 1745 by the grandson of Captain Richard Hemmings.

Captain Hemmings had participated in the English conquest of Jamaica in 1655 alongside Admiral William Penn and General Robert Venables before establishing the Seville Estate on approximately 2,500 acres of land.

The Great House was originally designed as a fortified two-storey residence without a veranda.

It overlooked the sugar plantations, sugar works, the village of enslaved Africans and the Caribbean coastline. Defensive guns were positioned around the building to protect the plantation owner and his household.

Following hurricane damage after 1745, the upper floor was removed and a veranda was added to improve ventilation and provide shade.

Several architectural features, including decorative architraves surrounding the doorways, have been preserved.

The property was declared a National Monument by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust on May 13, 1999.

Future cooperation

Addressing guests at the Great House Reception, President Mahama said Ghana and Jamaica shared common ancestry, history and cultural traditions.

He stated that both countries should focus on building a prosperous future through economic cooperation, tourism, education, investment and people-to-people exchanges.

The President reiterated his call for the establishment of a direct air link between Ghana and Jamaica, stating that improved connectivity would enhance tourism, trade, business, academic collaboration and cultural exchange between West Africa and the Caribbean.

One family

Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, said Ghana and Jamaica were one family connected by shared ancestry and history.

She emphasised the need to deepen cooperation and translate historical ties into stronger diplomatic and economic partnerships.

Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia “Babsy” Grange, expressed gratitude to President Mahama and the people of Ghana for the support extended to Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.

She called for greater collaboration in tourism and cultural development to drive economic growth.

Later in the day, President Mahama attended a State Dinner hosted by the Governor-General of Jamaica, Sir Patrick Allen, and Lady Allen at the Ballroom of King’s House.

The dinner marked the official conclusion of the President’s state visit.