Veep calls for increased trade between Ghana and Cuba

Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur has called for increased commercial and trade relations between Ghana and Cuba.

He said though Ghana and Cuba have had cultural and educational ties over the years, it is about time they deepen commercial and trade relations for the benefit of the people of the two countries.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur made the call when Mr Jorge Fernando Lebefre Nicolas, the outgoing Cuban Ambassador to Ghana called on him at his office at the Flagstaff House, in Accra on Tuesday.

Mr Jorge Fernando Lebefre Nicolas was at the Flagstaff House to bid farewell to Vice President Amissah-Arthur at the end of his four-year duty tour in the country.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur also commended the government of Cuba for its continuous support to Ghana, in terms of providing medical brigade and the training of Ghanaian technicians in Cuba.

He said Ghana still stands with Cuba in its campaign against the 50 year old embargo placed on the country by the United States of America.

He said Ghana is happy that Cuba has been able to restore diplomatic relations with the United States, adding that, this also brings new challenges to the country.

Mr Nicolas noted that Ghana over the years, had shown growth in its political maturity, and expressed delight that Ghana and Cuba have also collaborated on many issues including the training of Ghanaian students in Cuba and the Cuban medical brigade in Ghana.

He applauded the government of Ghana for the political support it gave to Cuba on many issues, especially on the economic blockade by the United States.

Mr Nicolas said Cuba would still need the support of its friends like Ghana for the total lifting of the economic embargo against his country.

He was grateful to Ghana for the support and the crusade for the release of the Cuban-five from United States prisons.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur presented a traditional stool to Mr Nicolas, who in turn presented a parcel to the Vice President to cement the relations between the two countries.

Earlier, Vice President Amissah-Arthur presented a 10-seater Hyundai bus to the RICHOFF Foundation, initiated by Mr Richard Offei, a physically challenged person at his residence.

The presentation of the Hyundai bus is in fulfilment of a promise he made to the foundation when he attended a fundraising and dinner of the organisation at the banquet hall.