The 60 years of diplomatic relations between Ghana and Ghana were celebrated with a political-cultural activity organized jointly between the Cuban embassy and the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Ghana at the Accra International Conference Centre.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Mrs. Shirley Ayokor Botchwey, headed the representation of the government of Ghana. In her speech she emphasized the historical nature of the bilateral ties that constitute a model of relationship for other countries; the Cuba's support to Ghana in training qualified professionals, and the collaboration in the health sector. She also addressed issues related to the future of the bilateral ties.
The Cuban Ambassador, Pedro Luis Despaigne González, in his words, paid tribute to Dr. Kwame Nkumah and the Commander in Chief, Fidel Castro, top promoters of the establishment of diplomatic relations, on 23rd December, 1959. He highlighted the support of the government and the people of Ghana to fight against the blockade, and Cuba's willingness to deepen cooperation ties with that African nation.
Both the Minister and the Ambassador agreed to qualify 2019 as a successful year, as President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia traveled on an official visits to Cuba; 221 new health professionals graduated from the Cuban classrooms, and a new group of 200 Ghanaians arrived for undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
As an expression of support for six decades of historical ties messages of solidarity were read by Mr. Kwesi Pratt, leader of the Socialist Forum of Ghana (SFG), Mr. Peter Kwaku Lumor, President of the Teachers and Education Workers Union (TEWU), a union affiliated to the Trades Union Congress- Ghana (TUC); and Mr. Musah Swallah, President of the Association of Ghanaian Graduates in Cuba (ESBECAN). The political-cultural activity was enlivened by the Freedom Band group, and the famous Ghanaian musician, Amandzeba Nat Yaw.
The Deputy Minister for Health and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Alexander Abban and Mr. Charles Owiredu, respectively, also participated in the activity; members of Parliament, Mr. Ras Mubarak and Mr. Samuel Okudzeto, both of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party; political leaders such as Ms. Samia Nkrumah, daughter of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and Dr. Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, former presidential candidate for the People's Convention Party (CPP); union leaders such as Rev. Richard Kwasi Yeboah and Mr. Alexander Nyarko-Opoku, President and First Vice President of TUC. Also present were members of the Diplomatic Corps, traditional leaders, and an important representation of the Movement of Solidarity with Cuba.
On the Cuban side, all members of the Cuban Medical Brigade (BMC), staff of the Cuban Embassy, and Cubans residing in Ghana participated.