Cuba to collaborate with Ghana News Agency

Accra, March 29, GNA - The Cuban Ambassador, on Monday paid a visit to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), in a bid to forge closer collaboration with the Wire Service for improved access to information sharing between Ghana and Cuba.

Mr Miguel Perez Cruz, gave an extensive update of the current situation in Cuba concerning the on-going integration of Latin America, ground breaking landmarks in the business industry, the blockade by the US as well as terrorist activities of Cuban militants exiled in Miami, during a meeting with the Management of the Agency.

He said the Cuban Embassy in Ghana deemed it very necessary to network and collaborate closely with the GNA, to share information and educate their people about the two countries. The Ambassador said the on-going integration of countries in Latin America had led to tremendous progress in business due to the vast oil and gas reserves in the Region and Cuba's rich human resource-base including its array of medical experts whose services were distributed in a large number of countries globally.

He however said the progress being achieved were hampered by terrorist activities of some Cuban exiles currently living in Miami, "whom the US government is trying to use to sabotage efforts of progress in Cuba". Mr Cruz noted that the financial backbone of the terrorists has been traced to the US where Congress vote huge amount of monies to support the activities of the mercenaries to sabotage every effort of progress. He said the Bush Administration accused Cuba of human rights violations and imposed sanctions, which prevented Cuban nationals living in the US to travel back home except once in every three years. Mr Cruz said the Administration also prohibited the sending of remittances to their relatives, saying this had become a major headache to the integration process.

He said the blockade was a major headache to the Cuban government, therefore the lifting of the imposition on the transfer of remittances by Cuban nationals living in the US by the Obama Administration came as good news and a sign of hope to the people. He expressed the hope that the lifting of the blockade would not be partial.

Mr Cruz said inspite of its internal problems, Cuba had maintained excellent and wider diplomatic ties with about 186 countries across the world including Ghana.

Nana Appau Duah, General Manager, GNA, thanked the Ambassador for the visit and called for strengthened and mutual collaboration with the Agency to improve upon updates on South America's integration. There should also be collaboration with energy experts in Ghana's oil and gas exploration to unearth and enhance the economic potentials in Ghana and Africa as a whole, he said. 29 March 10