Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has reiterated that President John Dramani Mahama’s foreign policy is guided by a spirit of generosity, solidarity and shared humanity, rather than by what Ghana can extract from its international partners.

Speaking on behalf of the president, Mr Ablakwa said President Mahama believes Ghana’s engagement with the world should be measured by how much the country is able to give and share with others in times of need. He described the latest intervention in Jamaica as the fifth major humanitarian gesture undertaken within the short period of President Mahama’s second term in office.

He recalled that during the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, President Mahama authorised the dispatch of relief items, including Ghana-made cocoa and chocolate products, to support the suffering Palestinian population. Similarly, when Hurricane Melissa struck parts of the Caribbean, the president extended humanitarian assistance to both Cuba and Jamaica, demonstrating Ghana’s compassion and solidarity beyond its borders.

Mr Ablakwa further noted that when conflict in Sudan led to what the United Nations (UN) has described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with more than 12 million people displaced, President Mahama once again stepped forward to provide critical relief items and humanitarian support to the people of Sudan.

According to the foreign affairs minister, President Mahama has now directed the deployment of Ghanaian troops and engineers to Jamaica to support reconstruction efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. The hurricane is reported to have claimed the lives of more than 40 Jamaicans, with analysts estimating the cost of destruction at over $8.8 billion.

“Our friendly nation of Jamaica is on its knees,” Mr Ablakwa said, explaining that the deployment follows a formal request from the Prime Minister of Jamaica.

In addition to humanitarian supplies already sent, Ghana will now contribute manpower and technical expertise to support recovery efforts.

He commended the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) for their readiness to respond, describing them as gallant men and women who continue to make the nation proud. Mr Ablakwa noted that as one of the top five troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping operations, Ghana’s armed forces had consistently upheld the country’s flag with honour in various international missions.

He expressed confidence that the troops assigned to the Jamaica mission would once again distinguish themselves and reflect Ghana’s longstanding commitment to global peace, security and humanitarian service.

Mr Ablakwa also extended special appreciation to the government and people of the United States of America for providing airlift support to facilitate the deployment of Ghanaian troops. He paid tribute to US Ambassador Ralph Olsen for his tireless efforts in coordinating the support, describing him as a steadfast friend of Ghana.

He further acknowledged the cordial relationship between President Mahama and US President Donald Trump, noting that Ghana was recently exempted from a new round of US visa restrictions affecting several countries in the region. Mr Ablakwa attributed this development to President Mahama’s experienced and skilful leadership of Ghana’s foreign policy.

According to him, the president continues to embody Ghana’s long-held diplomatic principle of being “friends of all and enemies to none,” a posture that has endeared the country to the international community.

The foreign affairs minister concluded by thanking the Honourable Roger Jelfi, relevant state institutions, and the Ghana Armed Forces for their dedication and collaboration in making the Jamaica deployment possible.