President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana returned home on Saturday, October 31, after participating in the Third Russia-Africa Summit held in Moscow from October 28 to 29. The summit was hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin. During his visit, President Mahama discussed Ghana's cooperation vision with Russia, focusing on various areas of mutual interest.
At the summit, President Mahama highlighted Ghana's plans to build its first nuclear power plant, with discussions initiated with Russia's Rosatom. He also recalled the historical ties between Ghana and the Soviet Union, which provided Ghana with a research reactor as early as 1964. This marked a significant milestone in the bilateral relations between the two nations.
President Mahama made an investment pitch to Russian enterprises, inviting them to invest in Ghana's key sectors such as cocoa, cashew, horticulture, mineral processing, and fertiliser production. He proposed exploring the use of local currencies and digital payment systems to reduce dependence on traditional payment systems. This move aims to boost economic cooperation between Ghana and Russia.
The President also suggested establishing a Russia-Africa Digital Innovation and Artificial Intelligence Programme to promote joint research and technology transfer between universities and enterprises of both sides. He expressed gratitude to Russia for its support of Africa during the anti-colonial struggle and apartheid period, citing his own experience as a scholarship student in the Soviet Union.
On international security, President Mahama called for the amicable resolution of global conflicts and appreciated Russia's willingness to resume trilateral talks on the Ukraine issue. He also urged international cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts in the Sahel region. These discussions underscored the importance of global cooperation in addressing pressing security challenges.
During his visit, President Mahama attended a Kente cloth exhibition organised by the Russia-Ghana Parliamentary Forum, highlighting the significance of cultural symbols in strengthening bilateral relations. He received two honorary doctorates from the Russian University of Transport and the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia and welcomed a proposal to establish a Russian-African studies programme.
President Mahama also engaged with the Ghanaian community in Moscow, briefing them on recent developments in Ghana and responding to their questions. The visit concluded with a reaffirmation of the strong ties between Ghana and Russia, with both nations committed to deepening their cooperation in various fields.
Key points
- President Mahama invites Russian enterprises to invest in Ghana's key sectors.
- Ghana and Russia discuss cooperation on nuclear power plant.
- President Mahama receives honorary doctorates from two Russian universities.
