Mahama renews Ghana’s call for end to US economic embargo on Cuba

President John Mahama has reaffirmed Ghana's stance against the economic, commercial, and financial embargo imposed on Cuba, addressing the 65th Non-Aligned Movement meeting in Belgrade. He emphasized that such unilateral measures contravene the principles of the United Nations Charter and weaken the global multilateral system. "Ghana maintains its call for the cessation of the long-standing embargo against Cuba," President Mahama stated.

He criticized unilateral coercive actions that undermine sovereign equality and non-interference, asserting that these measures undermine the very principles of the international system they are meant to uphold. Mahama argued that for political independence to hold weight, it must be coupled with the economic capacity to pursue national development priorities.

He also highlighted the need to address resource sovereignty, advocating for Global South countries to avoid a situation where they export raw materials while importing finished goods and bearing the environmental and social costs of extraction. Additionally, Mahama urged the Non-Aligned Movement to amplify its collective voice on pressing global issues such as climate change, development, finance, and international inequality.

He stressed the importance of translating the movement's principles into tangible actions, especially as developing nations grapple with burgeoning development gaps and emerging challenges like artificial intelligence and digital inequality. "Ghana remains steadfast in its commitment to work alongside all Non-Aligned Movement members to fortify multilateralism and advocate for a more equitable international order," he concluded.

The U.S. embargo on Cuba, which originated in 1960 following the Cuban Revolution and the nationalization of U.S. assets, has persisted through various legislative measures such as the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 and the Helms-Burton Act of 1996. Although diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba were normalized in 2015 under President Obama, the broader economic embargo persists.