Meetings with President John Dramani Mahama, the Port of Tema and African financial and tourism leaders focus on commitments to explore partnerships supporting St. Croix’s Free Trade Zone, the proposed Diaspora Link cable and long-term growth for the Virgin Islands.
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. today announced that his official economic mission to the Republic of Ghana and his meeting with President John Dramani Mahama focused on advancing discussions in international trade, digital connectivity and economic development for the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The meeting with President Mahama served as the capstone of a focused, weeklong working mission in Ghana to explore global partnerships that support the long-term growth of the territory.
During the visit, Governor Bryan, joined by members of an official Virgin Islands delegation, toured the Port of Tema, Ghana’s busiest port, where he received formal briefings on port operations, logistics planning and regional trade movement.
He also met with leaders from African financial institutions to discuss potential investment opportunities, business expansion and possible support for future development projects in the Virgin Islands.
In separate working sessions, the governor met with tourism officials and representatives from the Ghana Free Trade Zone to explore ways the Virgin Islands could be linked with Africa’s rapidly growing travel and commerce sectors.
Governor Bryan’s meeting with President Mahama underscored a shared interest in deeper economic collaboration between Ghana and the Virgin Islands. Central to their discussion was the potential role of St. Croix’s Free Trade Zone as a strategic bridge between Africa and the United States.
Governor Bryan emphasized that the territory is prepared to explore serving as a trusted gateway for Ghana and the 54 nations of the African Continental Free Trade Area seeking greater access to the U.S. market.
“Our work in Ghana helps build a strong platform for the Virgin Islands to play a leading role in global commerce,” Governor Bryan said. “President Mahama recognizes the value of this relationship, and together we have outlined shared intentions to pursue new economic, tourism and digital connectivity opportunities that could support job creation, investment and long-term economic opportunity for our people.”
The leaders also held extensive discussions on the Diaspora Link project, a proposed transatlantic fiber optic cable that would create direct digital connectivity between Ghana, the Virgin Islands and the mainland United States.
Governor Bryan noted that the project is under consideration by the United States Congress for potential federal funding and is designed to enhance everything from business development and education to international trade and communication.
“The Diaspora Link cable could position the Virgin Islands at the center of a powerful digital corridor between Africa and the United States,” Governor Bryan said. “This is a transformative opportunity we are working to secure for our communities and for our economic future.”
President Mahama expressed strong interest in continuing the partnership and in sending an official delegation to the Virgin Islands in the first quarter of next year. The delegation, to be led by the executive director of presidential initiatives, is expected to focus on trade, investment planning, cultural cooperation and further discussions on the Diaspora Link project.
Throughout the mission, Governor Bryan also emphasized the importance of cultural exchange, highlighting the shared history and deep ancestral ties between the Virgin Islands and Ghana.
“We are building more than potential trade and investment opportunities,” Governor Bryan said. “We are strengthening cultural and historical bonds that connect our people across generations and across the Atlantic.”
The Bryan-Roach administration will continue to pursue targeted international partnerships that support the growth of St. Croix’s Free Trade Zone, strengthen critical infrastructure and expand economic opportunity throughout the Virgin Islands, while working to leverage private investment and federal resources to deliver long-term benefits for Virgin Islands taxpayers.
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