Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis – Two high-level envoys from the Republic of Ghana joined Caribbean Heads of Government at the 50th Regular Meeting of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), reinforcing the deep historical and political ties between Africa and the Caribbean diaspora.

The Ghanaian delegation, comprising H.E. Dr.Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Presidential Special Envoy for Reparations, and H.E. King Kwasi Kyei Darkwah, Presidential Special Envoy to the Caribbean Region, participated in the four-day summit held in Basseterre from February 24 to 27, 2026. The landmark conference operated under the theme, “Beyond Words: Action Today for a Thriving, Sustainable CARICOM.”

A Call for Unity and Resilience
The proceedings commenced at the Marriott Dome in Frigate Bay, where the Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis and Chair of CARICOM, delivered the keynote address. Dr. Drew urged member states to transition swiftly from dialogue to decisive implementation, focusing on strengthening regional resilience and unity. Outgoing Chair, Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica, joined regional leaders in outlining a collective vision for the Community’s future.

Over the intensive four-day schedule, discussions tackled critical issues shaping the region’s trajectory. Key agenda items included the deepening of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), climate change resilience and sustainable financing, food and nutrition security, regional security enhancements, transportation improvements, and the advancement of foreign and community relations.

Advancing the Reparations Dialogue
A significant focus of the Ghanaian mission was the ongoing push for reparative justice. H.E. Spio-Garbrah actively contributed to high-level conversations regarding the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Caribbean, underscoring a shared commitment to pursuing justice.

The dialogue extended beyond formal sessions into the public sphere. The Special Envoys appeared on Freedom FM 106.5, engaging in a radio discussion that explored the intertwined history of Ghana and the Caribbean and the moral imperative for reparations.

During the broadcast, Dr.Spio-Garbrah outlined the vision of Ghana’s President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama. He announced that President Mahama, empowered by his appointment by the African Union (AU), is championing the cause of reparations for the entire African continent. A pivotal moment in this campaign will occur on March 25, 2026, in New York City, where President Mahama intends to present the transatlantic slave trade and slavery as the gravest crime against humanity at the United Nations. He expressed hope for unified global support for this agenda.

In a broader reflection on development, H.E. Spio-Garbrah noted that a significant factor in the developmental gap between Europe and Africa stems from the exploitation of African labor to fuel Western economies. He argued that Africa can achieve similar progress through enhanced organization and centralized, strategic decision-making. Citing China as a prime example of a nation that advanced through well-structured policies and governance without external assistance, he asserted that Africa possesses the same potential if it unites and pursues common goals with determination.

Building a Common Vision
H.E. Spio-Garbrah praised the Caribbean Community for its pioneering Ten-Point Action Plan on reparatory justice, confirming that Africa is developing its own complementary reparations agenda. “Reparations require a common vision, a shared future, and the determination to fight for it regardless of what other nations may choose to do,” he stated. “It will not be easy, but it is possible.”

Concluding the official engagements on Friday, February 27, H.E. Spio-Garbrah participated in a dedicated reparations forum at the Royal St. Kitts Hotel. During a presentation, he detailed the mission, vision, and mandate of the newly established Office of Global Reparations Ghana, clarifying his role as Special Envoy. Participants examined pathways toward meaningful redress and explored mechanisms for strengthened cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean. The discussions were described as thoughtful and forward-looking, directly embodying the summit’s central ethos of transforming words into concrete action.