Ghana’s president John Dramani Mahama has called for the lifting of the longstanding economic, commercial and financial restrictions imposed on Cuba.
He argues that such measures are inconsistent with the principles of sovereign equality among nations.
Speaking at a high-level meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Belgrade, Serbia, President Mahama said Ghana remained concerned about the continued economic pressure on Cuba and its implications for the international front.
The United States has maintained economic restrictions on Cuba since the early 1960s following the 1959 Cuban Revolution and the subsequent deterioration of relations between Washington and Havana.
The restrictions include trade, investment and financial transactions and have remained a major source of tension between the two countries.
Cuba and its supporters refer to the measures as an economic blockade, while the United States generally describes them as an embargo.
The United Nations General Assembly has repeatedly voted by large margins in favour of ending the restrictions, although those resolutions are not legally binding on Washington.
Ghana adds to the latest countries calling for the removal of the restrictions and maintains longstanding diplomatic ties with Cuba.
“Ghana reiterates its call to the long-standing economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba,” he said.
He maintained that countries should be allowed to pursue their national interests and development priorities without being subjected to unilateral measures by more powerful states.
According to the President, the continued restrictions on Cuba also raise wider questions about fairness and consistency in the application of international principles.
“Unilateral, coercive measures that undermine sovereign equality, non-interference and purposes and principles of the Charter weaken the multilateral system we all agreed to defend,” Mahama said.
Mahama linked Ghana’s position to the country’s longstanding foreign policy tradition which dates back to the leadership of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
He further called for international action to protect civilians in Gaza, urging unrestricted access for relief supplies for victims.
“The humanitarian situation remains catastrophic,” Mahama said. Enditem
