Dr Kweku Afriyie, Minister of Health, on Thursday appealed to the Cuban government to use Ghana as a centre for researching and manufacturing of vaccines for the treatment of tropical diseases.

"Because disease pattern differs from country to country and sometimes getting a particular type of vaccine demands the combination of different types of vaccines, the big manufacturing companies in Europe are no more interested in researching into this area," he noted.

Dr Afriyie said since Cuba was very strong in the manufacture of vaccines, "we will, therefore, ask for your assistance in this area by making our country the centre for the research for the benefit of the Sub Region".

The Minister made the appeal when the Cuban Ambassador to Ghana, Professor Lucas Domingo Hernandez Polledo, called on him in Accra.

The Health Minister said Ghana was importing anti-snake serum from India but did not contain local snake species.

"This created difficulty for us in the treatment of snake bites. Therefore, if we are able to establish a research centre here, it will go a long way to help us as well other African countries."

Dr Afriyie commended Cuba for consistently assisting Ghana with doctors, whose work culture was highly exceptional. These doctors had filled the gap created by the mass exodus of Ghana's health personnel.

He said the Cuban doctors were very helpful during the Dagbon crisis and were willing to accept postings to the rural areas.

The Minister said Ghana would for the next five or more years need the assistance of the Cuban Health Brigade to deliver quality health care to the people.

Prof. Polledo reaffirmed Cuban's co-operation with Ghana and said the Health Brigade team would be increased from 189 to 200.

He pledged Cuba's support for the opening of a biotechnology centre for the development of drugs and as well as vaccines.

The Cuban Ambassador said more doctors were being trained in Cuba to assist some African countries to deliver quality health care.