News Releases

President Mahama Lauds UWI

For Release Upon Receipt - August 19, 2026

St. Augustine


The UWI Regional Headquarters, Kingston, Jamaica, Thursday, August 13, 2026 – The University of the West Indies (The UWI) welcomed His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana on August 3, during a landmark visit to the region, highlighting the deepening partnership between Africa and the Caribbean in advancing the global movement for reparatory justice. 

President Mahama's visit, which coincided with celebrations marking Jamaica's 64th Independence, was a powerful affirmation of The UWI's internationally recognised leadership in scholarship, advocacy, and institution-building on issues of reparatory justice and Pan-African development. The University hosted the President at its Regional Headquarters to honour the achievements of the reparations and broader Pan-African movements. 

For decades, The UWI has been a central force shaping the contemporary reparations movement through research, public engagement and policy leadership. Widely acknowledged as a principal institution responsible for moving reparatory justice from the margins of public discussion to the centre of regional and international diplomacy, the University has played a defining role in advancing the Caribbean's case for justice and development. 

During his visit, President Mahama applauded The UWI’s unwavering leadership and spotlighted its Centre for Reparation Research, now a beacon for global scholarship, policy innovation and public education on reparatory justice.  

President Mahama also celebrated Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles for steering CARICOM’s reparations strategy, while highlighting the surging global momentum for recognition, accountability and redress for the crimes of chattel slavery and native genocide. 

As an alumnus of the University of Ghana, a sister institution of The UWI, President Mahama gave the visit deep symbolic meaning, reflecting enduring ties to regional higher education. Founded together in 1948, both universities share a legacy of championing intellectual growth and self-determination for formerly colonised peoples. 

In welcoming President Mahama, Vice-Chancellor Beckles commended the Ghanaian leader’s pivotal role in propelling reparatory justice onto the world stage, especially through his advocacy at the United Nations. “President Mahama has provided courageous and visionary leadership in elevating the cause of reparatory justice within the global community,” Vice-Chancellor Beckles said. “His efforts have helped secure unprecedented levels of international support for recognising chattel slavery as the gravest crime against humanity and have strengthened cooperation among nations committed to justice, development and human dignity.” 

He also noted that recent developments at the United Nations represent a significant shift in global consciousness and political will and that these developments reflect growing solidarity among CARICOM member states, the African Union, and nations across Latin America and Asia. 

Calling President Mahama “a presidential leader of the movement,” Vice-Chancellor Beckles underscored the vital partnership between African and Caribbean leaders in driving a united reparatory justice agenda. He also praised the leadership of Barbados’ Prime Minister, the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Chair of the CARICOM Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on Reparations, for rallying international support. 

The visit of the Ghanaian President reaffirmed The UWI’s unique position as a living bridge between Africa and the Caribbean, and as a leading intellectual force shaping global conversations on historical justice, sustainable development and human rights. As the call for reparatory justice echoes ever louder across the globe, The UWI stands steadfast in its commitment to world-class research, meaningful dialogue and evidence-based policies that uplift Caribbean peoples and the broader African diaspora. 

 

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Note to the Editor

Photo Caption: His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama delivers remarks at The UWI Regional Headquarters, while Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles looks on from the stage. 

 

About The University of the West Indies

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has played a crucial role in Caribbean development for over 75 years, consistently contributing to the improvement of the well-being of people across the region.  

Established in 1948 as a university college of London in Jamaica, with just 33 medical students, UWI has grown into an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students. Today, it boasts five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda, and its Global Campus, along with international centres in partnership with universities across North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. 

The UWI offers over 1000 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the leading university in the Caribbean, it is home to the largest pool of intellect and expertise in the region, dedicated to addressing the critical issues facing both the Caribbean and the wider world. 

Validated by its inclusion in the Times Higher Education (THE) annual rankings since 2018, The UWI has affirmed its position as one of the top universities globally. It stands out as the only English-speaking institution in the Caribbean featured in four of THE's prestigious ranking lists. The World University Rankings evaluate over 2,000 research-focused universities worldwide, while the Golden Age University Rankings highlight institutions established between 50 and 80 years ago. The Latin America Rankings focus specifically on universities within Latin America and the Caribbean. Additionally, the Impact Rankings assess universities based on their contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

This recognition has also springboarded the establishment of The UWI’s International School for Development Justice (ISDJ), a global online graduate business school aimed at preparing future leaders for sustainable development. 

The UWI is an SDG-engaged university consistently recognised among the best in the world. Discover more at www.uwi.edu.  

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