President John Dramani Mahama has paid tribute to one of the greatest champions of Black liberation and Pan-Africanism, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, during his State Visit to Jamaica, reaffirming the deep historical and cultural ties between Ghana and the Caribbean nation.
John Mahama on drums in Jamaica.
At the National Heroes Circle in Kingston, President Mahama laid a floral wreath at the shrine of Jamaica’s first National Hero, honouring Garvey’s extraordinary contribution to the global struggle for African unity, dignity, and self-determination.
The solemn ceremony served as more than a diplomatic tradition. It was a powerful reminder of the enduring ideals that continue to bind Ghana and Jamaica—shared history, resilience, and a common vision for the advancement of people of African descent across the world.
Garvey, founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), inspired millions with his message of Black pride, economic empowerment, and African unity. His philosophy profoundly influenced generations of African leaders, including Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, whose vision for African liberation and continental integration echoed many of Garvey’s ideals.
For Ghana, the tribute carries special historical significance. The relationship between Nkrumah and Garvey’s Pan-African philosophy helped shape Ghana’s role as the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence in 1957 and as a leading advocate for African unity.
President Mahama’s wreath-laying ceremony symbolised a renewed commitment to strengthening cooperation between Ghana and Jamaica in areas such as culture, education, trade, tourism, and diaspora engagement. It also underscored the importance of preserving the legacy of leaders whose ideas continue to inspire movements for justice, equality, and African development.
The visit comes at a time when both nations are seeking deeper collaboration within the broader Global Africa agenda, recognising the immense potential of partnerships between Africa and the Caribbean.
As President Mahama bowed in honour before the monument of Marcus Garvey, the moment resonated far beyond Jamaica. It reflected a shared heritage and a future built on Pan-African solidarity—one in which the dreams of Garvey and Nkrumah continue to inspire new generations to pursue unity, prosperity, and the empowerment of African people worldwide.
“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots,” Marcus Garvey famously said. President Mahama’s tribute was a fitting acknowledgement that the roots connecting Ghana and Jamaica remain strong, vibrant, and essential to shaping a shared future.
