The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has renewed calls for a stronger and more deliberate economic alliance between Africa and the Caribbean, urging
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has renewed calls for a stronger and more deliberate economic alliance between Africa and the Caribbean, urging leaders on both sides of the Atlantic to transform centuries-old historical bonds into practical, mutually beneficial development partnerships.
Speaking during the 2025 GUBA Awards Night in Barbados—where he was a special guest of honour—and in a public lecture at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus, the Asantehene stressed that shared ancestry and cultural similarities should no longer remain symbolic.
Instead, he said, they should serve as the foundation for robust economic, cultural, and educational cooperation.
A Call Rooted In History
Relations between Africa and the Caribbean have often been grounded in shared history tied to the transatlantic slave trade, Pan-Africanist movements, and cultural preservation.
Over the years, various African and Caribbean leaders, from Kwame Nkrumah to Eric Williams and Marcus Garvey, advocated for political unity and economic solidarity.
Yet, practical implementation of such ideas has been slow, hindered by logistical limitations, fragmented markets, and limited direct interactions.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu, referencing this historical backdrop, warned that both regions risk missing out on unprecedented global economic opportunities if they continue to engage the world separately instead of as collective partners with shared interests.
Transforming Identity Into Economic Power
Delivering his lecture titled “Reclaiming Our Atlantic Destiny: Connect, Build, Renew,” he emphasised that the time had come for Africa and the Caribbean to elevate cooperation beyond ceremonial expressions of solidarity.
He argued that enhanced intra-regional trade could unlock new markets for African and Caribbean goods, reduce dependence on traditional Western partners, and channel investments into sectors such as agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, creative arts, and technology.
The Asantehene said a coordinated economic front would empower both regions to assert stronger influence in global economic decision-making, boosting their relevance in a changing world.
Direct Flights to Remove Barrier
A major practical step the Asantehene proposed was the establishment of a direct flight route connecting Africa and the Caribbean. Such a connection, he said, would drastically reduce travel time, lower costs, and encourage tourism, business exchanges, and diaspora engagement.
For decades, the lack of direct flights has been cited as one of the biggest barriers to cross-regional cooperation, often forcing travelers to transit through Europe or the United States before reaching either destination.
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