PM makes official visit to Africa, Chang in charge of government | Stories of lead

Prime Minister Andrew Holness left the island yesterday afternoon for official visits to Namibia and South Africa, announced the Prime Minister's Office (OPM).

In the absence of the Prime Minister, Dr. Horace Chang, Security Minister, will be in charge of the government.

For his first stop, Holness will travel to the Republic of Namibia for a visit to the historic state. This visit follows an official invitation from the Namibian government early last year, and it will be the first time that a Jamaican chief of government will officially visit this African nation.

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Holness will arrive in the Namibian capital. town of Windhoek, where on Monday he will be greeted by a military guard and a salute of 19 guns. Later, the Prime Minister will exchange official remarks with the President of Namibia, Dr. Hage G. Geingob, according to the press release of the OPM

The two leaders will address areas of bilateral cooperation possible, including visa exemption, sport, and youth development. Leaders are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of political consultations between the two countries.

On Tuesday, the prime minister will attend a wreath laying ceremony at Heroes Acre in the Namibian capital, after which he will depart from Eros airport at Walvis Bay harbor. There, Holness will visit the Namibia Ports Authority and meet with officials.

Holness is also expected to meet with Jamaican and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nationals in Namibia and other parts of the Southern African region to discuss developments in Jamaica. For the Namibian part of the trip, Prime Minister Holness will be supported by Olivia & Babsy & # 39; Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender and Sport, as well as Robert Nesta Morgan, Director of Communications and During the second stage of his official working visit to Southern Africa, the Prime Minister will visit Johannesburg to meet with leaders at the 10th BRICS Summit at the Sandton International Convention Center

The Prime Minister will specifically attend the BRICS Plenary Session and the BRICS Plus Meeting with Heads of State and Government of the BRICS. IRB. CS and the heads of state and government of the BRIC Plus countries and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The BRICS countries are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Holness is also supported by Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.