President John Dramani Mahama has said the team will be made up of men and women with expertise in engineering, masonry, carpentry, and they are to help in the construction of makeshift shelters for the Jamaican people.

President Mahama made the announcement at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra on Tuesday evening during the 80th anniversary celebration of Manchester Declaration, which is referred to as the Fifth Pan-African Congress.

He appealed to African nations to extend immediate humanitarian assistance to Jamaica, following the extensive devastation caused by recent powerful storms on the Caribbean island.

The President’s call comes after direct communication with the Jamaican Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, who detailed the urgent and pressing needs of his people.

Hosted by the Pan-African Progressive Front (PPF), the two-day conference explored reparations, economic self-determination, and continental unity through revised economic and political programs that will serve as a roadmap for Africa’s renewal.

Present at the event was former President John Agyekum Kufuor, Kwasi Pratt Jnr, academics and civil society leaders, among others. 

Solidarity 

President Mahama used the opportunity to rally his fellow African leaders to extend support, not just to hurricane hit Jamaica, but also to Cuba in the spirit of Pan-Africanism.

According to President Mahama, Prime Minister Holness indicated that the primary priority is to provide shelter for the thousands of displaced citizens, moving them from exposure to the harsh elements.

"And so, if you can appeal to our African comrades to come to our aid, the extent of distraction in Jamaica is beyond our capacity alone to repair," President Mahama quoted Prime Minister Holness.

President Mahama said he also received a phone call on Monday, November 17, from Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados, who together with other Caribbean leaders were in Jamaica to express solidarity with the People of Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.

The President said that for the first time, the Caribbean Leaders were seeing the true extent of the destruction that had been coursed by Hurricane Melissa.

While calling for continental support, President Mahama explained that Ghana had already sent some assorted items; such as bags of rice, medication, plastic buckets and bowls, mattresses, blankets, and several other assorted materials to be shared between the people of Jamaica and Cuba.

Africa Union

Meanwhile, he said the government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has formally notified the African Union (AU) of the crisis.

President Mahama explained that the communication to the AU member states outlines the specific requirements for immediate relief. 

He noted that even basic materials such as blankets and tarpaulins would be invaluable, as they can be used to create makeshift tents for temporary shelter.