The Cuban Vice President, Mrs. Ines Maria Chapman has paid glowing tribute to Ghana for its contribution towards the emancipation of Africans not only on the African continent but also in the Caribbean.

She added that the impact made by Mr. Kofi Annan at the UN in improving the lot of humanity affirms that Ghana is a great nation.

The Cuban Vice President made the remarks when, Ghana's Foreign Minister, Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey called on her in Havana, the Cuban capital.

Cuba is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds. Cubans are of mixed heritage including those of Spanish descent, Black African ancestry and Asians. At least 50 per cent of the population is classified as mulatto- that is mixed African and European descent.

In February this year, the appointment of Mrs. Ines Maria Chapman and two other women of African descent to the Council was described by political analysts as the most diverse in Cuba's history.

Maria Chapman, 52, of Afro-Cuban descent, rose to prominence as head of Cuba’s leaky waterworks, where she has worked to repair infrastructure and supervised the allocation of water during a recent prolonged drought.

While on a working visit to the Latin American nation, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey (MP) paid a courtesy call on the Cuban trained engineer, Mrs. Ines Maria Chapman.




The meeting, which was held behind closed doors, was centered on deepening bilateral ties and trade between the two countries.

The Cuban leader eulogized Mr. Kofi Annan and called for unity among developing countries in order to improve the livelihoods of their citizens.

On her part, Hon. Ayorkor Botchwey lauded Cuba for its support to Ghana's health and education sectors.

She said the resilience shown by Cuba even in the midst of economic challenges is an indication that with unity and a sense of purpose there was nothing that could hinder the aspirations of any nation.

Cuba is one of the closest nations to America among the Caribbean nations but has since 1959 been under economic blockade by the US after Fidel Castro led a revolt against Fulgencio Batista's government with guerilla warfare.