Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda and CARICOM Chairman Gaston Browne has made a set of proposals for deepening relations with countries in Africa.
He was address the historic first Africa-CARICOM Summit via zoom moments ago.
Participants at the event will include Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community and the African Union, Chairs of CARICOM and the African Union Commission, and the Africa Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the Secretaries-General of CARICOM and the Organisation of the African Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), and the President of Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
It is anticipated that the deliberations will institutionalise CARICOM-African Union collaboration. It is also expected that there will be agreement to host the Summits of the CARICOM- African Heads of State and Government bi- annually.
Expected outcomes could include greater economic trade and investment opportunities between Africa and the Caribbean; and solidarity in actions to address global challenges including climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The African Union generously agreed to invite CARICOM to be part of the African Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP) for the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines which allowed the Community to benefit from bulk purchasing. The vaccines began arriving in CARICOM last month.
The Summit follows a series of visits between the leaders of CARICOM and Africa, including the visits by President of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo, and President Kenyatta to the Region in 2019; a reciprocal visit to Kenya by Barbados Prime Minister, the Hon. Mia Mottley, also in 2019,; as well as visits to Namibia and South Africa by Jamaica Prime Minister, the Hon. Andrew Holness in 2018 and Kenya in 2019; and a visit to Ghana by Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Keith Rowley, in 2020.
While in Kenya, Prime Minster Mottley unveiled a plaque for a CARICOM Diplomatic Mission at an ultra-modern business complex in Nairobi. Chair of CARICOM, the Hon. Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, announced recently that the Mission will be opened soon as he committed to strengthening relations between CARICOM and Africa during his term as Chair of the regional integration movement. The Mission, he said, would serve as CARICOM’s platform in Africa with a mandate to develop beneficial relations with all countries on the African continent.
The workings of the Community have been the subject of study visits to the Secretariat by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the Secretariat has also hosted the African Union Commission, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).
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visionary PM….if indeed Africa is considered the “homeland” how is it that an offspring needs a visa to visit his mother?
@Just Saying
Abolished visa then what?
How will the people move? Visa restrictions is not a barrier THERE IS NO COST EFFECTIVE TRANSPORTATION.
If in the Caribbean transportation is an issue up to now and they are going to take on transportation between the Caribbean and Africa?
wasnt an african “investor” looking to invest in liat? maybe that’s the solution.
@the Caribbean
And where is he now?
Pay attention to current events….
He has been charge with forgery and fraud in an indictment in Atlanta.
The time is right. Mother Africa, we welcome you. You are always our homeland of the soul. We need you and we want you. You are always welcome here.
It makes Economic sense, from education to culture to tourism.
Rastaman a preach dis kinda vibes, communication, living fu decades. Irie fu see, dem a mention Africa and CARICOM, as #One #Nation!
…so, let’s get together and feel #All #Right. Bob did not sing One Love, just because!
More positive powers, to the PM’s proposal.
@Just Saying
What is the excuse for lack of trade? Visa?
Time for a vaccine of common sense ……
Establish trade and free movement will be a bi product.
CHUPS
“God and Nature first made us what we are, and then out of our own created genius we make ourselves what we want to be. Follow always that great law. Let the sky and God be our limit and Eternity our measurement.” Marcus Mosiah Garvey.
Excellent proposal mr PM.
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