U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS— Governor Albert Bryan Jr. today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), establishing a formal framework for strategic cooperation between Ghana and the U.S. Virgin Islands in tourism development, cultural exchange, trade facilitation, and investment promotion, grounded in shared heritage and mutual economic interests.
The agreement was signed during the USVI-Africa Mini Summit held today at The Westin Beach Resort and Spa at Frenchman’s Reef on St. Thomas, marking a major step forward in expanding people-to-people connections and building new pathways for economic growth between the African continent and the Virgin Islands.
“This memorandum is about more than travel. It is about connection,” said Governor Albert Bryan Jr. “The Virgin Islands and Ghana share a story that reaches across the Atlantic, and today we are turning that shared heritage into shared opportunity. This partnership aligns tourism with trade and investment goals, supports cultural and youth exchange, and creates a platform for real private-sector collaboration.”
The MoU outlines clear objectives to strengthen bilateral tourism relations, promote two-way travel and destination marketing, align tourism development with broader trade and investment priorities, and foster engagement between communities and businesses in both jurisdictions.
Maame Efua Houadjeto, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, said the agreement reflects a mutual commitment to build lasting cooperation rooted in cultural ties and economic advancement. The MoU positions both destinations to coordinate efforts that grow visitor arrivals, expand market reach, and develop collaborative tourism and heritage initiatives.
Under the agreement, the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Ghana Tourism Authority will collaborate through five cooperation pillars:
Destination-to-Destination Tourism Collaboration through joint marketing and branding initiatives, coordinated participation in international tourism exhibitions, and exchange of best practices in destination management and tourism innovation.
Cultural and Heritage Exchange including the development of heritage and diaspora tourism products reflecting shared African-Caribbean history, cultural festivals and creative industry exchanges, and educational and youth exchange programs related to culture and tourism.
Airlift, Cruise, and Maritime Tourism by engaging airlines and cruise and maritime stakeholders to improve connectivity, collaborating on cruise tourism development and port experiences, and sharing knowledge on maritime tourism infrastructure and standards.
Investment and Private-Sector Engagement by promoting tourism and hospitality investment opportunities, facilitating business-to-business engagement and joint ventures, and supporting partnerships in hotels, resorts, eco-tourism, and cultural tourism ventures.
Capacity Building and Institutional Cooperation through exchange programs for tourism professionals and public officials, joint training in marketing, sustainability, digital transformation, and service excellence, and technical cooperation among relevant tourism and investment agencies.
The MoU provides for the designation of focal persons to coordinate activities and allows for the establishment of a Joint Working Committee to develop implementation plans, timelines, and monitoring mechanisms. It also makes clear that the agreement creates no financial obligations for either party, with any future commitments to be agreed to separately in writing.
The MoU enters into force upon signature and remains in effect for five years, renewable by mutual consent.
“This is a bridge with traffic both ways,” Governor Bryan added. “But it is also a new Middle Passage, not of chains and captivity, but of choice and connection, of culture and commerce, of families rediscovering their roots and entrepreneurs building new partnerships. We are turning shared history into shared opportunity.”
###