Ghana-Cuba poised to expand economic and social cooperation

Accra, April 19, GNA - Ghana and Cuba are poised to expand and strengthen their bilateral relations in economic, agricultural, sports and tourism sectors in addition to the existing cooperation in health. Mr Akwasi Osei-Adjei, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced this when addressing the opening session of the three-day 12th Session of Ghana-Cuba Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation in Accra on Monday.

The Joint-Cooperation that had existed for over two decades seeks to strengthen trade and investment between the two countries.

Mr Osei-Adjei said the two countries were keen on broadening their bilateral cooperation to enhance South-South cooperation in trade, investment, technical and other forms of cooperation because of the successful cooperation between them in the health sector.

He said the Cuban Medical Brigade in Ghana had played an active role in health delivery efforts and demonstrated a high level of readiness to work in any part of the country.

On education, the Deputy Foreign Minister said a number Ghanaians had benefited from Cuban scholarships to pursue various courses in that country.

Mr Osei-Adjei, however, said some of the decisions that had been taken during previous joint sessions, remained to be implemented, adding, "there is the need to identify and remove impediments to their speedy implementation to ensure that the time, efforts and resources spent on these sessions become truly worthwhile".

Mr Ramon Diaz, Deputy Cuban Foreign Minister for Investment and Trade for Africa, said Cuba would share her experiences and achievements with Ghana in the area of vaccines and drugs.

He pledged Cuba's assistance to Ghana in sports development and cultural exchanges and tourism saying: "We are prioritising certain social programmes; giving renovated validity to the principles of solidarity in setting the strategic basis for our future economic development."

Mr Diaz gave an overview of the economic and structural transformations in Cuba and said: "Despite the United States of America's aggression and calumnies Cuba's prestige, still remained". He said Cuba was ready to support the interest of other nations to build a better world.