The Cuban Ambassador, Pedro Luis Despaigne González participated, together with diplomats from the embassies of Latin America accredited in Accra, in a Panel dedicated to the impact of the African Diaspora in the respective countries.
The Panel, led by Dr. Joanna Boampong, Director of the Center for Latin American Studies of the College of Humanities at the University of Ghana, is part of the Program of Activities to Commemorate the Four Centuries of Links between Africa and the Americas.
The panelists highlighted how Latin America received an important cultural legacy, expressed in culinary traditions, music, costumes, dances, and other manifestations of popular culture of Latin American peoples; they also made reference to the manifestations of rebellion of the Africans against slavery, as well as the organization of the fugitive slaves in the Brazilian quilombos or the Cuban palenques.
The Cuban diplomat emphasized the role played in the history of the struggles for independence by the descendants of African slaves, and pointed out that Cuba received from Africa the spirit of resistance that has allowed its people to face tough trials throughout their conformation as a Nation. He also emphasized Cuba's commitment to cooperate in the development of the African continent.
Professors and students from the University of Ghana were also present at the discussions. For the Cuban embassy also attended the event the First Secretary, Julio César Sánchez, and the Higher Level Specialist, Raisa Burón Anglada.