Fidel Castro predicted that I would become President of Ghana – Akufo-Addo

General News on Friday, April 5th, 2019

Source: Myjoyonline.com

2019-04-05

President Nana Akufo-Addo on Thursday revealed how former Cuban President Fidel Castro had predicted his accession to Ghana's presidency.

As Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs, the President stated that he had the honor of meeting Fidel Castro in April 2006 when he led the Ghanaian delegation to the Ghana-Cuba Joint Permanent Cooperation Commission, which had been held in Havana.

"At this meeting, he made a prediction about an aspect of my life, which has since come true. I lost time at the meeting with him and I soon realized that I was going to miss my flight, "he said during his bilateral talks with Cuban President Miguel. Diaz-Canel, as part of his official country visit.

The President added: "Then, in his calm and badured voice, Fidel Castro told me, words that I remember that day, and I quote:" Do not worry. Even if you miss your flight, there is another one later today. Do not be in a hurry to leave because I might not have the opportunity to see you again. I can tell you that you will one day be president of your country. "

President Akufo-Addo further stated that "it took me ten years to see this prediction made, and I am sad that I can not have the opportunity to come back and tell him: "Commander, your prediction has been fulfilled." May the soul Fidel Castro rest in peace. "

Paying tribute to the leader of the Cuban Revolution, the late Fidel Castro, President Akufo-Addo pointed out that it was at the time of the Cuban leader deceased that Cuba became a reliable friend of Africa .

Ghana-Cuba Partnerships

Chairperson Nana Akufo-Addo said the prospects for strengthening economic relations between Ghana and Cuba were considerable and called on the two countries to constantly seek ways to cooperate.

According to President Akufo-Addo, "I have no doubt that together we can create a strong new partnership for cooperation between our two nations, in the mutual interest of our two peoples."

In his remarks, he said that his visit to Cuba "will aim to strengthen the ties between our two countries and to explore new areas of cooperation in the mutual interest of our two peoples".

At the diplomatic level, Ghana and Cuba have had relations since 1959. In fact, Ghana was the first African country to establish diplomatic relations with the government of the Cuban revolution. Since then, officials from both countries have exchanged high-level visits.

President Akufo-Addo said that his country thanked Cuba, through the Cuban Medical Brigade, composed of about two hundred and twenty-seven (227) doctors, for the medical services they provided to the population of Ghana.

"Six hundred (600) Ghanaian students have received scholarships from the Cuban government since the year 2000, and some three thousand (3,000) Ghanaians have benefited from this arrangement in previous years. I am pleased to note that during this visit, new arrangements were made for two hundred (200) other Ghanaian students to study medicine here, "he said.

The President continued: "The cooperation between our two countries is currently extending to the eradication of malaria and, in the framework of a joint venture agreement with Labiofam SA, a bio-larviciding plant will be created in Savelugu, in the northern region of Ghana. "

An agreement, he added, is also reached for the sale of Ghana's cocoa liquor to the Stella S.A. chocolate factory in Cuba, noting that "we want to examine the possibility of Stella S.A. establishing a manufacturing plant in Ghana".