Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has concluded a weeklong economic mission to the Republic of Ghana, which his administration says was aimed at advancing international trade, digital connectivity, and economic development opportunities for the U.S. Virgin Islands. According to Government House, the governor’s meeting with President John Dramani Mahama was the capstone of the trip and part of efforts to expand global partnerships that could support long-term growth in the territory.

As part of the mission, Governor Bryan and members of the official Virgin Islands delegation toured the Port of Tema, described by the administration as Ghana’s busiest port. There, the group received briefings on port operations, logistics planning, and the flow of regional trade. The administration also noted that the governor met with leaders from African financial institutions to discuss potential investment opportunities, business expansion, and possible support for future development projects in the Virgin Islands.

Government House further stated that the governor held working sessions with tourism officials and representatives of the Ghana Free Trade Zone to explore potential links between the Virgin Islands and Africa’s growing travel and commerce sectors.

According to the administration, the meeting with President Mahama included discussion about the possible role of St. Croix’s Free Trade Zone as a strategic connection point between African nations and the United States. The administration said Governor Bryan emphasized that the territory is prepared to explore serving as a gateway for Ghana and countries within the African Continental Free Trade Area seeking expanded access to U.S. markets.

“Our work in Ghana helps build a strong platform for the Virgin Islands to play a leading role in global commerce,” Governor Bryan said. “President Mahama recognizes the value of this relationship, and together we have outlined shared intentions to pursue new economic, tourism and digital connectivity opportunities that could support job creation, investment and long-term economic opportunity for our people.”

A significant portion of the trip focused on the Diaspora Link project, a proposed transatlantic fiber optic cable intended to create direct digital connectivity between Ghana, the Virgin Islands, and the mainland United States. The administration said the project is currently under consideration by the U.S. Congress for potential federal funding and is designed to strengthen business development, education, international trade, and communication infrastructure.

“The Diaspora Link cable could position the Virgin Islands at the center of a powerful digital corridor between Africa and the United States,” Governor Bryan said. “This is a transformative opportunity we are working to secure for our communities and for our economic future.”

Government House stated that President Mahama expressed interest in continuing the partnership and plans to send an official delegation to the Virgin Islands in the first quarter of next year. The visiting group, according to the administration, would focus on trade, investment planning, cultural cooperation, and further dialogue on the Diaspora Link project.

Throughout the mission, the administration said Governor Bryan highlighted the importance of cultural exchange and referenced the historical ties between the Virgin Islands and Ghana. “We are building more than potential trade and investment opportunities,” he said. “We are strengthening cultural and historical bonds that connect our people across generations and across the Atlantic.”

According to Government House, the Bryan-Roach administration intends to continue pursuing international partnerships that support growth of St. Croix’s Free Trade Zone, improve infrastructure, and expand economic opportunity across the territory while leveraging private investment and federal resources.