USVI and Ghana Formalize Tourism Partnership Amid Broader Push to Reconnect With Africa

In the middle of a day devoted to strengthening economic and cultural ties between the Virgin Islands and Africa, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and Ghana Tourism Authority CEO Maame Efua Houadjeto paused Tuesday to formalize what both described as a relationship years in the making.

The two leaders signed a memorandum of understanding between the Government of the Virgin Islands and the Ghana Tourism Authority, a step Bryan characterized as both symbolic and practical — anchoring a broader effort to reconnect the territory with West Africa through tourism, trade, and diaspora engagement.

“This is really the beginning of a great relationship,” Bryan said during a brief press conference held within Tuesday’s USVI–Africa Mini Summit at the Westin Frenchman’s Reef Resort. “We wanted to document this moment and solidify the ties we already have.”

Houadjeto, part of a delegation in the territory this week, framed the agreement as part of a deeper reconnection between people long separated by history. According to Bryan’s Deputy Chief of Staff Kevin Rodriguez, a key organizer, the delegation paid for their own flights and hotel rooms, while the V.I. government covered the cost of the summit, which was about $11,000.