President John Dramani Mahama has in an official message to the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, congratulated him for the bold decision to rescind America’s designation of Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.

Ghana, President Mahama noted, considers the decision an important stage in the effort to normalize relations between the United States and Cuba. He therefore urged the US Congress to support the President’s decision.

President Obama’s intention to take Cuba off the list of terrorist countries follows his December 17, 2014 announcement restoring diplomatic relations with the South American country.

In his letter, President Mahama also noted Cuba’s assurances to America and the international community, which was necessary for the United States to arrive at this decision.

The Government of Ghana has commended the United States of America (USA) and Cuba for their recent initiative to normalize relations between the two countries.

President Mahama also expressed his confidence that having come this far, the United States and Cuba will remain resolute and committed to bringing the full process of normalization of relations to a successful conclusion.

Ghana, which has been a firm supporter and campaigner for Cuba and for the release of the ‘Cuban 5’, joined the world to congratulate the USA and Cuba in December 2014 following the release of the five, who had been held on charges of spying.

Cuba, in reaction, also released an American national held in Havana.