Grenada’s Prime Minister reveals his Akan ancestry as Ghana, Grenada strengthen bilateral ties

Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell, has revealed that DNA ancestry tracing on his mother’s side confirms he is of Akan descent, adding that about 75% of Grenada’s population can trace their lineage to Ghana.

The Grenadian leader made the revelation during bilateral talks with President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House as part of his two-day state visit to Ghana.

Prime Minister Mitchell said his visit to Ghana was deeply personal, describing it as a symbolic homecoming that reflects the enduring historical and cultural links between Ghana and the Caribbean.

“In July, at the Afrikan Bank Conference, I revealed my DNA ancestry tracing on my maternal side, and it was traced to the Akan people of Ghana,” he said.

“So, I think I could say the ‘Akwaaba’ that was given to me yesterday is a reflection of a homecoming that is deeply personal to me.

The Prime Minister added that a large portion of Grenada’s population shares similar ancestral roots.

“I’m told 75% of the population of Grenada can trace its ancestry to Ghana. So, I think for us, the very close African country I visited, being Ghana, feels like a natural alignment of the stars,” he said.

He emphasised that both regions must use their shared history as a bridge to strengthen political, social, cultural, and economic relations.

“We must reconnect deliberately with our roots, both politically, socially, culturally, and importantly, economically,” he said.

“We want to be able to trade and grow economies and make sure citizens benefit from a trade that is progressive and looks after their well-being.”

President John Mahama, in his remarks, welcomed Prime Minister Mitchell’s visit and reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Grenada.

He said the visit would help build on the Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) already signed between the two countries in the areas of political consultation, trade, culture, education, and visa waivers.

Read Also: Grenada seeks to recruit Ghanaian nurses to address severe health worker shortage

“I’m happy that your visit will allow us to continue with the rapprochement that we’ve been engaged in, especially with the MOUs that we have signed, one being the MOU on political consultation,” President Mahama said.

“And I’m happy that yesterday our two foreign ministers could sit and have that consultation so that, based on the shared values that we have, we can take common positions at international meetings.”

He mentioned Ghana’s position as the headquarters of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), describing it as a major opportunity for African and Caribbean businesses to collaborate.

“Ghana happens to be the headquarters of the African Continental Free Trade Area, that was a very historic trade agreement. So far, 150 countries have ratified it, and so it allows us to export duty-free and tariff-free into each other’s markets.”

President Mahama urged African and Caribbean nations to take advantage of the AfCFTA to deepen economic ties.

“I believe it becomes an opportunity for African and Caribbean businesses to invest together, to take advantage of the 1.3 billion population market with a GDP of more than three trillion dollars.”

“We must find ways and means of bringing the two business communities together to create further investments,” he added.

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