Demo for the release of jailed Cubans held

Accra, Sept 15, GNA – More than 500 demonstrators including students trained in Cuba, representatives of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), individuals and organisations on Thursday embarked on a demonstration for the freedom of five Cubans jailed in the United State of America (USA).

The demonstration which began form Kwame Nkrumah Circle went through some principal streets in Accra and ended at the Ghana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) Office building.

The five, Gerardo Hemandez, Ramon Labanino, Ferado Gonzalez, Antonio Guerrero and Rene Gonzalez were accused of espionage and jailed by the United States Government.

Comrade Tru–I Sallassie, Member of the Socialist Forum of Ghana explained that they were jailed in the US because they were defending their country against terrorist invasion.

“What we are defending now is world socialism being maintained by Cuban,” he added.

He noted that Ghana was supporting the Cubans on the grounds of human rights, the strong historic bond since the Nkrumah regime, Cuba’s support to the country’s education, health sectors and free scholarships extended to Ghanaian students.

He said 60 per cent of Cubans were descendants of African slaves and that the people who colonised Africa were the same people who wanted to re-colonise the country.

“We cannot be in our country and foreigners will come and dominate us, controlling our leaders and resources,” he stressed.

Some of the demonstrators’ placards read, “End the Blockade Now, Cubans are humans too”, “No To Terrorism”, “Viva Cuba, Cuban Five Freedom Fighters”, “President Obama Free the Cuban Five”, and “Cuba is our friend”.

Mr Kwesi Pratt Junior, Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper in a solidarity message stated that “USA has no right to violate the rights of the Cubans. The world demands the instant release of the jailed Cubans”.