Suriname and Ghana want to more explicitly translate their historical and cultural ties into concrete cooperation. President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons and her Ghanaian counterpart John Dramani Mahama discussed this during a bilateral meeting in New York, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
During the talks, education, economic cooperation and the development of the gold sector were among the issues discussed. Both heads of government expressed the intention to further develop existing agreements and partnerships into projects that contribute to sustainable development and mutual economic benefit.
Bridge between Africa and the Caribbean
An important point of discussion was the role Suriname and Ghana will assume in their respective regions in the coming period. Ghana is preparing for the chairmanship of the African Union in 2027, while Suriname will hold the chairmanship of the Caribbean Community, CARICOM.
According to both presidents, this offers opportunities to further strengthen cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean. This includes trade, education, mobility, sustainable development and further South-South cooperation.
Visa-free travel discussed
President Mahama also raised the possibility of a visa exemption for holders of ordinary passports during the meeting. Such an arrangement could make travel between the two countries easier and promote business, cultural and tourism contacts.
Suriname, for its part, pointed to the importance of better air connections. Reference was made to the aviation agreement already signed between the two countries. According to Suriname, its further implementation should contribute to better connections between South America and West Africa.
History of slavery and reparations
Multilateral cooperation was also discussed. Mahama expressed appreciation for Suriname’s support for UN resolution A/RES/80/250, which concerns the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and racially based slavery. Ghana considers the resolution part of international efforts concerning recognition, justice and reparations.
President Simons also received an invitation to attend the celebration of 70 years of Ghana’s independence in 2027.
According to the countries, the meeting between the two heads of government should give further impetus to bilateral relations, with the historical ties increasingly being translated into cooperation at the economic, social and regional levels.
