Barbados’ business and cultural attaché to Ghana, C. Phil Phillips, says Africa could really feel distant to the Caribbean, nevertheless it holds immense alternatives for commerce, tourism, and cultural change that the area mustn’t ignore.
Talking with the Caribbean Media Company (CMC) throughout the Fourth Intra-African Commerce Honest (IATF2025), which ended on Wednesday, Phillips described Africa as “the go-to place” as conventional markets face challenges.
“Sure, it’s unfamiliar. Sure, it appears far when it comes to distance, however it’s value exploring,” Phillips mentioned. “As you begin to see increasingly more fast wins, you’re going to see increasingly more participation.”
Barbados is among the many first CARICOM states to ascertain a excessive fee in Ghana, alongside Suriname’s embassy in Accra and Jamaica’s excessive fee in Abuja, Nigeria. Phillips advised that Caribbean nations ought to coordinate their diplomatic methods, noting that Barbados is open to partnerships with different regional governments contemplating a presence in Ghana.
At this yr’s honest, Barbados, The Bahamas, and Grenada represented the Caribbean, although Grenada didn’t have a sales space. Phillips mentioned many guests to the Barbados sales space had been studying in regards to the nation for the primary time — an indication, he argued, that the initiative helps shut the data hole between the 2 areas.
Barbados showcased domestically made drinks and biscuits, whereas respecting Ghana’s Muslim traditions by not displaying its most well-known export, rum. Phillips identified, nonetheless, that Barbadian rum is already doing nicely in Accra supermarkets.
Within the 4 years since opening its excessive fee in Accra, Barbados has signed a number of agreements with Ghanaian establishments, together with the Ghana Funding Promotion Authority, whereas additionally constructing cultural partnerships with teams such because the Black Star Expertise and the Ministry of Sports activities.
Trying forward, Phillips mentioned Barbados hopes to deepen business and cultural diplomacy with Africa. He highlighted the upcoming Develop, Unite, Construct Africa (GUBA) Awards, scheduled for November in Barbados, which is able to embody a direct constitution flight to facilitate journey for individuals dealing with visa challenges.
“With Africa’s younger inhabitants and super progress potential, the one path is additional growth,” Phillips mentioned. “Meaning extra alternatives for the Caribbean to do enterprise with folks we’re aware of. Finally, we wish to see thriving commerce and tourism between Barbados, the broader Caribbean, and West Africa.”
