Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has commenced a two-day official and solidarity visit to Jamaica aimed at deepening the ancestral and diplomatic bonds between the two nations. Upon his arrival, the Minister was received by his Jamaican counterpart, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, marking the beginning of a high-level mission that includes bilateral talks with Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness.
A primary focus of the visit is to engage with Ghanaian troops from the 48 Engineer Regiment who have been stationed in Jamaica for six weeks to assist with reconstruction efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. Minister Ablakwa is scheduled to deliver a special message of appreciation from Ghana’s Commander-in-Chief, President John Dramani Mahama, to the soldiers for their service in the recovery operations.
Beyond military cooperation, the delegation intends to finalize technical consultations regarding the exportation of Ghanaian health workers and teachers to Jamaica, an initiative expected to be implemented within the year.
The Foreign Minister is accompanied by a high-powered delegation, including Deputy Minister for Defence Ernest Brogya Genfi, Presidential Special Envoy to the Caribbean Kwasi Kyei Darkwah, and Chief of the Army Staff Major General Lawrence K. S. Gbetanu, alongside senior directors from the ministries of health and education to facilitate these cross-sectoral agreements.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
Ghana Unveils Revised Automotive Policy to Pivot Toward Electric Vehicles and Regional Export
The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry has convened a major stakeholder consultation in Accra to review the second phase of the Ghana Automotive Development Policy (GADP II), a strategic framework designed to modernize the nation’s vehicle manufacturing sector. The workshop, held on Thursday, January 23, 2026, brought together regulators, development partners, and industry players to finalize a roadmap that aligns Ghana’s industrial capacity with global shifts toward sustainable mobility.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry’s Chief Director, Mr. Kwesi Ofori Antwi, Head of Textiles and Garments, emphasized that the revision is essential to keep the domestic industry commercially viable and technologically advanced. Since the inception of the original policy in 2019, Ghana has successfully established eight assembly plants producing both international and domestic brands. However, Mr. Antwi noted that the next developmental stage must address the global transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and the increasing demand for two- and three-wheeler transport solutions.
The proposed GADP II framework aims to diversify the sector without disrupting existing investments in internal combustion engines. It introduces specific incentives for EV assembly, including predictable fiscal regimes and standardized safety regulations. Furthermore, the policy seeks to foster a local supplier ecosystem focused on battery assembly, metal fabrication, and digital systems, ensuring that small and medium-sized enterprises are integrated into the high-value automotive supply chain.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
