CUBAN AMBASSADOR TO GHANA VISITS THE CENTRE FOR LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES, UG.

The incoming Ambassador of Cuba to Ghana, H. E. Anette Chao Garcia has paid a courtesy visit to the Centre for Latin American Studies, University of Ghana (CLAS-UG) as part of her familiarization with the country and desire to engage with stakeholder-institutions in the country.

The Director of CLAS-UG, Dr. Joanna Boampong welcomed H. E Anette Chao Garcia to the CLAS-UG office, University of Ghana, together with Dr. Afua Boatemaa Yakohene, Research Fellow of the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy (LECIAD).

Discussions focused on the work of the Centre and efforts to further develop the long and cordial

relationship between Ghana and Cuba, which cuts across sectors such as education, medicine, trade, business, and agriculture.

Speaking about the activities of CLAS-UG, Dr. Joanna Boampong highlighted a research project being undertaken by the Centre that examines Ghana’s bilateral relations with the Latin American countries that have missions in Ghana. She disclosed that Dr. Afua Yakohene is working on the chapter on Cuba.

H.E. Anette Chao Garcia acknowledged the efforts of CLAS-UG and indicated her readiness to work closely with the Centre and the University to plan events aimed at enhancing links and interactions between the two countries. These include such activities as seminars, conferences, colloquia, workshops, and film festivals.

An important aspect of the discussions was the need to provide students practical experiences that will enrich their education and equip them with skills for life after graduation. One area they found relevant for the engagement of students outside the classroom was their participation in community-based events organized by the Cuban Medical Brigade.  Comprising a group of doctors deployed to various countries around the world, the Cuban Medical Brigade has been operative in Ghana since the PNDC era and over the years, has provided much needed medical support in the rural areas. The parties resolved to plan activities that would involve different disciplines from the College of Humanities and UG as a whole.

In closing, Dr. Boampong thanked the Cuban Ambassador for the visit and readiness to collaborate with the Centre and the University. For her part, H.E. Anette Chao García expressed deep appreciation to the Director of CLAS-UG and Dr. Afua Boatemaa Yakohene, for their warm reception.