Accra, June 14, GNA- Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama on Thursday asked Cuba to increase the size of the Cuban Medical Brigade in Ghana from 185 to 200, to boost their services in the rural areas. He also appealed for assistance for animal husbandry as well as citrus and rice production.

Vice President Mahama, who made the appeal when he met with the Cuban Ambassador, Mr Gustavo Prez-Cruz at the Osu Castle, also requested for more lecturers for the University of Ghana, Legon, and the University for Development Studies.

He said Cuba, as a strong nation in sports could be of support to Ghana in nurturing sports men and women to world-class level. Vice President Mahama expressed delight that Cuba had shown interest to buy cocoa from Ghana, and looked forward for the business drive.

He said Ghana was offering scholarships to a number of Cuban public servants at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration as a means of deepening the time-tested bilateral relations. Mr. Prez-Cruz said his country was exploring the possibility of establishing bio-larvicide's factory in Ghana to help combat mosquitoes in the West African Sub-Region.

He said Cuba also intends to establish a sugar factory in Ghana. Mr. Prez- Cruz said the Cuban Medical Brigade had produced a comprehensive report on diseases in Ghana and made recommendations to deal with them.