(Dailyguideafrica) – Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, has called on Africans and the people in the Caribbean who share similar culture and history to come together to foster development.
Delivering a lecture at the African University College of Communications (AUCC) in Accra last Thursday, Dr Gonsalves stated that Africans, Brazilians and the Caribbean people are doing excellently in various fields but do not have the requisite level of integration for development.
He stressed need for the two regions to establish institutions which would bring people and businesses together to enhance development.
“We have to make sure we set up institutions to make sure we have people, businesses and NGOs. We have build on what we are doing and existing relationships to take us to greater heights in the economic sphere, trade and diplomatic world,” he added.
He disclosed that several countries in the Caribbean Region have diplomatic relations with several African countries and cooperate a lot, adding that “we just have to do it more intensely and in a more organized way.”
He also mentioned that Africans and the people in the Caribbean share a history of colonialism, exploitation, slavery and struggle for independence.
This, he said, should encourage the people in the two regions to advance their collective goal towards transformational development.
The lecture was held under the theme, “Rebuilding African – Brazilian – Caribbean Movement for Trade, Cultural and Diplomatic Enhancement and Reparations.”
It was attended by the wife of the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and some officials from his office.
The Prime Minister paid a courtesy call on President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House during his visit to the country.
He also held discussions with Yaw Osafo-Maafo, the Senior Minister, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister of Food and Agriculture and Catherine Abelema Afeku, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.
Dr Gonsalves also paid a historic visit to the Elmina and Cape Coast Castles, the two historic places that played significant role in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, which saw thousands of Africans shipped to Europe and Americas to work in sugarcane plantations.
Nii Adjei Mensahfio & Charles Cheku Armah
