Lieutenant Governor Roach Serving as Acting Governor During Official Visit
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. departed the Territory today to lead an official Government of the Virgin Islands delegation to Accra, Ghana, where he will advance economic, tourism, cultural and technology partnerships between the U.S. Virgin Islands and West Africa.
Governor Bryan’s visit, which runs from November 22 to 30, marks a historic milestone. He will become the first governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands and the first U.S. governor of African descent to visit Ghana while in office.
The delegation traveling with the governor includes senior officials from the Department of Tourism, Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority Chief Executive Officer Wayne Biggs Jr., and Virgin Islands Next Generation Network President and Chief Executive Officer Stephan Adams. Governor Bryan said the official visit is focused on turning heritage connections into tangible opportunities for the Virgin Islands.
“Ghana is not just a heritage destination for Virgin Islanders. It is a potential partner for trade, tourism, finance and technology,” Governor Bryan said. “This delegation is about turning shared history into shared opportunities. We have sent official delegations to Denmark for years. That history matters and we will continue to honor it, and we also must be intentional about our ties to West Africa, where so many of our family ancestry is from. These stories together help define who we are.”
The governor said the timing and symbolism of the visit are deeply meaningful.
“It is not lost on me that I will be in Ghana on the 292nd anniversary of the 1733 St. John insurrection, led by our ancestors of the Akwamu people from Ghana,” Governor Bryan said. “To stand on Ghanaian soil at this moment in history, as a governor of African descent, is humbling and powerful. This visit honors their courage by building new bridges in education, culture, technology and commerce that will benefit Virgin Islanders for generations to come.”
Governor Bryan emphasized that the visit is centered on creating practical benefits for the Territory and that each member of the delegation has a clear agenda.
“This is a working trip. Tourism will discuss routes, experiences and partnerships that can increase visitor arrivals and promote our shared heritage,” he said. “The EDA, under CEO Wayne Biggs Jr., will pursue investment and free zone opportunities that can bring new capital and jobs to the Virgin Islands. viNGN, led by President and CEO Stephan Adams, will explore digital connectivity, data services and fintech that can expand our role in the global digital economy. Our focus is on partnerships that put Virgin Islanders to work and create value in both directions.”
He added, “When we recognized African Heritage Week and African Liberation Day early in my tenure, we made a promise to connect our culture to our future. This visit keeps that promise by linking education, culture and business with concrete actions. Our goal is to return home with relationships and opportunities that move the Virgin Islands forward.”
While in Accra, the USVI delegation’s agenda includes meetings with leaders of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, engagements with Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare, discussions with senior leadership of the Bank of Ghana and a meeting with His Excellency John Dramani Mahama. The delegation will also visit the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, tour Osu Castle and meet with community and business leaders in the Osu neighborhood.
This outreach builds on years of people-to-people connections between the Virgin Islands and Ghana through cultural exchanges and heritage observances. In 2019, shortly after taking office, Governor Bryan issued an executive order recognizing African Heritage Week and African Liberation Day each year on May 25 in the Territory. Since then, Virgin Islands delegations and cultural groups have participated in emancipation commemorations, exhibitions and other engagements in Ghana, efforts the governor aims to deepen through this official visit.
“The intent of this official visit is to build upon the longstanding ties between the Virgin Islands and Ghana and to expand those connections into new areas of cooperation that support our people,” Governor Bryan said.
During his absence, Lieutenant Governor Tregenza A. Roach, Esq., is serving as acting governor.
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