28th plenary meeting of United Nations General Assembly, 81st session

Mr. Ben Dotsei Malor
Deputy Permanent Representative
General Assembly Hall
United Nations HQ, New York
28th October 2026

DEBATE ON AGENDA ITEM 38 ON THE “NECESSITY OF ENDING THE ECONOMIC, COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL EMBARGO IMPOSED BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AGAINST CUBA” TO BE DELIVERED DURING  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PLENARY MEETING.

Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Excellency Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cuba, – welcome

Ghana remains deeply concerned about the continued imposition of economic, commercial, and financial sanctions on Cuba. We are against these sanctions which are well documented to be having grave consequences on the lives of the people of Cuba. These sanctions, which span over six decades, constitute an affront to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cuba – and completely at odds with the Charter of the United Nations.

Mr. President,
These sanctions continue to deprive the Cuban people of the opportunity to exercise their rights fully – rights that are enshrined in the 1986 Declaration on the Right to Development, which reaffirmed the inalienable rights of all peoples to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from economic, social, cultural and political development. These sanctions go against this Declaration. The effects of these sanctions continue to limit Cuba’s capacity to modernize the country’s economy, participate fully in global trade, and allow its citizens to benefit from development.

Ghana maintains its opposition to these sanctions and calls for their immediate removal. Our position is grounded in the principle of sovereign equality, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence between States, in line with international law and the Charter of the United Nations.

Ghana’s support for this resolution reflects not only our longstanding solidarity with the Government and people of Cuba, but highlights our concern over the crippling impact of the sanctions on the country’s critical industries, including healthcare, energy, education, agriculture, and the financial ecosystem. These restrictions tend to undermine the aspirations of the Cuban people to live in dignity. The embargo’s extraterritorial application also places undue burdens on third States, contrary to the principles of sovereign equality, fair and equitable international economic relations.

Mr. President
These sanctions are unwarranted. They are unjust, and they are unfortunate. They must be removed.

Ghana subscribes to the amicable settlement of disputes between Member States through diplomatic means. The United Nations must help Cuba and the United States to achieve an amicable settlement that is a win for all. We therefore urge the United States and Cuba to resolve their differences through constructive dialogue and peaceful means within the framework of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.

I thank you.