Jamaican tourism entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of Asterix Tourism Services Limited, Roy Page, has engaged Abeiku Santana and members of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) management as part of a two-week working visit to Ghana aimed at strengthening tourism cooperation and deepening cultural ties between Jamaica and Africa.
The engagement focused on community-based business development, cultural exchange and opportunities to build stronger connections between Ghana and the Caribbean through tourism and heritage initiatives.
Mr. Page is seeking to introduce community-based business initiatives in Ghana, with Paga in the Upper East Region identified as the first beneficiary community under the proposed programme.
Speaking during the engagement, Mr. Page explained that his mission goes beyond promoting conventional tourism, stressing the need to empower local communities to develop sustainable businesses and participate directly in economic development.
“Our real reason to be here is to be able to have community businesses. We really want to turn communities into businesses,” he said.
He noted that the initiative is inspired by the “Village as a Business” model under the Country Style Community Tourism Network, which encourages community members to recognise their economic potential, take ownership of local enterprises and use their cultural heritage as a resource for development.
According to Mr. Page, the approach is intended to help communities create business opportunities from their traditions, attractions, skills and local experiences while ensuring that residents benefit directly from tourism activities.
‘Know Thyself’ to connect Ghana and Jamaica
A major component of the proposed collaboration is the “Know Thyself” cultural exchange programme, designed to strengthen historical, cultural and social connections between Africans and people of African descent in the Caribbean.
Under the initiative, 100 Jamaicans, including members of Maroon, Rastafari and Taino communities, are expected to visit Ghana to engage with traditional leaders, chiefs, kings and royal families through cultural activities, music and historical exchanges.
The programme also proposes a reciprocal visit by 100 Ghanaians to Jamaica, creating opportunities for participants from both countries to learn about their shared heritage and contemporary cultural experiences.
“We want Caribbean persons to come to Africa and Africans to go to the Caribbean. We are starting with Jamaica and Ghana because we believe in models. We want the models to work, and then we can establish it throughout Africa and the Caribbean,” Mr. Page said.
He disclosed that discussions were ongoing with airlines regarding a possible charter flight to facilitate the exchange programme.
The proposed activities are expected to include engagements around Ghana’s 70th independence anniversary in March, with a homecoming event planned for December 2026 featuring reggae artiste Gramps Morgan.
Mr. Page further indicated that Maroon communities in Jamaica had expressed interest in visiting Ghana as part of the initiative.
“In Jamaica, we have strong Maroon communities. They have had meetings and they are already in agreement. They want to come to Ghana,” he added.
Focus on community development
Mr. Page emphasised that the success of the initiative would depend on translating discussions into practical projects capable of delivering meaningful benefits to local communities.
He said the exchange would provide opportunities for people from Ghana and Jamaica to learn from one another, share experiences and identify areas for cooperation in tourism, culture and community enterprise.
“We really want to execute everything that we mentioned. We want the Caribbean to come to Africa and learn from Africans, and Africans to go to the Caribbean and learn from the Caribbeans, because although we are distance apart, we are still one,” he stated.
The proposed partnership is expected to create a framework for further cooperation between Asterix Tourism Services Limited and the Ghana Tourism Authority, particularly in community tourism development and the promotion of cultural heritage.
Abeiku Santana and members of the GTA management expressed the authority’s readiness to collaborate with Asterix Tourism Services Limited to support the development of impactful tourism experiences under the initiative.
The engagement forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Ghana–Jamaica relations by using tourism as a platform for cultural reconnection, community empowerment and sustainable economic opportunities.
With Paga identified as the initial beneficiary community, the proposed initiative seeks to demonstrate how local communities can build viable enterprises around their heritage and resources while strengthening the enduring bonds between Africa and the Caribbean.
