President John Dramani Mahama has returned to Ghana after participating in the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, where he explored new opportunities for economic cooperation, investment and technological development between Ghana and Russia.
President Mahama arrived home on Saturday, October 31, following the October 28–29 summit hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During the summit, President Mahama disclosed that Ghana had begun discussions with Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy company, Rosatom, over plans to establish the country’s first nuclear power plant. He also highlighted the historical relationship between the two countries, recalling that the Soviet Union supplied Ghana with a research reactor in 1964.
The President called on Russian investors to explore business opportunities in Ghana, particularly in cocoa production, cashew processing, horticulture, mineral processing and fertiliser manufacturing.
He further proposed the use of local currencies and digital payment systems to facilitate trade between Ghana and Russia, reduce transaction costs and minimise reliance on traditional international payment systems.
Mahama also advocated the establishment of a Russia-Africa Digital Innovation and Artificial Intelligence Programme to encourage technological development, university research and knowledge transfer.
On international affairs, the President called for peaceful solutions to global conflicts, welcomed Russia’s willingness to resume trilateral discussions on the Ukraine conflict and urged stronger international cooperation to combat terrorism in the Sahel region.
He also praised Russia for its historical support for Africa during the anti-colonial struggle and the fight against apartheid, drawing on his personal experience as a former scholarship student in the Soviet Union.
As part of his engagements, Mahama attended a Kente exhibition organised by the Russia-Ghana Parliamentary Forum, describing cultural heritage as an important tool for strengthening diplomatic relations.
The President also received two honorary doctorate degrees from the Russian University of Transport and the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University). He welcomed a proposal by RUDN to establish a Russian-African studies programme.
Additionally, Mahama met members of the Ghanaian community in Moscow, where he updated them on developments in Ghana and addressed their concerns.
The visit is expected to strengthen Ghana-Russia diplomatic relations while creating opportunities for investment, nuclear energy development, agricultural growth, digital innovation and trade cooperation.
Source: newsthemegh.com