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. He highlighted the historical ties between Ghana and the Soviet Union, which provided Ghana with a research reactor as early as 1964.
At the summit, President Mahama explored opportunities for Ghana-Russia collaboration in several sectors, including cocoa, cashew, horticulture, mineral processing, and fertiliser production. He invited Russian enterprises to invest in these areas, aiming to strengthen economic ties between the two nations. President Mahama also proposed using local currencies and digital payment systems to settle legitimate trade, reducing dependence on traditional payment systems. This move is expected to enhance trade relations and promote economic cooperation.
President Mahama and his Russian counterpart, President Putin, discussed international security issues, including the Ukraine conflict. President Mahama expressed appreciation for Russia's willingness to resume trilateral talks on the Ukraine issue. He also urged international cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts in the Sahel region. Furthermore, President Mahama thanked 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 the sidelines of the summit, President Mahama attended a Kente cloth exhibition organised by the Russia-Ghana Parliamentary Forum. He emphasized that cultural symbols like Kente cloth are "historical narratives" that can strengthen bilateral relations between Ghana and Russia. The exhibition showcased Ghana's rich cultural heritage, highlighting the significance of Kente cloth as a symbol of Ghanaian culture.
President Mahama received two honorary doctorates from the Russian University of Transport and Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN). He welcomed RUDN's proposal to establish a Russian-African studies programme, which aims to promote academic cooperation and research between Ghana and Russia. The programme is expected to enhance educational ties and foster a deeper understanding of African and Russian cultures.
During his visit, President Mahama engaged with the Ghanaian community in Moscow, briefing them on recent developments in Ghana and responding to their questions. The interaction provided an opportunity for the Ghanaian community to engage with their country's leader and discuss issues of concern. President Mahama's visit to the Ghanaian community demonstrated his commitment to engaging with Ghanaians abroad.
President Mahama's participation in the Third Russia-Africa Summit and his interactions with Russian leaders and the Ghanaian community in Moscow have strengthened Ghana-Russia relations. The summit provided a platform for Ghana to promote its interests and explore new opportunities for cooperation with Russia. President Mahama's visit has paved the way for future collaborations between Ghana and Russia in various sectors.
Key points
- President Mahama proposed exploring the settlement of legitimate trade using local currencies and digital payment systems.
- President Mahama received two honorary doctorates from Russian universities.
- President Mahama engaged with the Ghanaian community in Moscow, briefing them on recent developments in Ghana.
