Ghana and Russia have agreed on a new defence pact that will see Russia provide the Ghana Armed Forces with strategic military assets. The agreement was announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on October 31, 2026, after direct talks between President John Dramani Mahama and Vladimir Putin on October 30. The talks also led to President Putin agreeing to stop the recruitment of Ghanaians to participate in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The decision to stop recruiting Ghanaians to fight in the Ukraine conflict follows concerns raised by President Mahama. According to Mr Ablakwa, the restriction covers both voluntary enlistment and irregular recruitment, ruling out all forms of participation by Ghanaians in the war. This development comes after growing concerns over the number of Ghanaians who have reportedly been recruited to fight for Russia since the conflict began in 2022.
During a visit to Kyiv in February 2026, Mr Ablakwa said about 272 Ghanaians were believed to have been lured into the war, citing information from Ukrainian authorities. He said at least 55 of them had been killed. Figures reported at the time showed that 17 Ghanaians were recruited in 2023, 53 in 2024 and 202 in 2025. In August, after a three-day meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, Mr Ablakwa put the death toll at 62.
Mr Ablakwa also disclosed that 15 other Ghanaians who had travelled to Russia were missing. At the August meeting, Mr Lavrov alleged that Ghanaians had signed contracts with Russia's Defence Ministry out of solidarity and for material and financial reasons. President Mahama had earlier indicated his intention to raise the issue during his visit to Moscow.
The new defence pact is one of several agreements secured by President Mahama during his meeting with President Putin. Other agreements include the establishment of a 2,000 megawatts nuclear power plant to guarantee energy security and anchor industrialization, enhanced agricultural cooperation aimed at boosting grain production and provision of fertilizers, and an increase in scholarships for Ghanaian students.
Ghana and Russia have maintained cordial and mutually beneficial formal bilateral relations since 1958. The two countries have also agreed to revive their PJCC, with Moscow ready to host in the next few weeks. Ghana now ranks second as the African nation with the most number of students in Russia.
The agreements were described by Mr Ablakwa as concrete commitments secured by President Mahama during his meeting with President Putin. The Minister said the outcomes of the meeting were a significant success for Ghana, and would help to strengthen the country's relations with Russia.
Key points
- Russia agrees to stop recruiting Ghanaians to fight in Ukraine conflict
- Ghana and Russia agree on new defence pact to acquire strategic military assets
- President Mahama secures several agreements with President Putin, including energy and agricultural cooperation
