Mahama Receives Honorary Doctorate in Moscow, Calls for Stronger Ghana-Russia Cooperation

By Ahoto John Justice

President John Dramani Mahama has received an honorary doctorate from the Russian University of Transport in Moscow, with the recognition highlighting opportunities for deeper cooperation between Ghana and Russia in transport infrastructure, education, energy and industrial development.
The conferment took place on October 27, 2026, at the university’s grand auditorium, where members of the academic senate, Ghanaian officials, students and diplomats gathered for the ceremony.

According to the citation read at the event, the university’s academic council recognised President Mahama’s leadership and commitment to national development, particularly in infrastructure and education. The institution said his development priorities reflected its belief in using knowledge to serve society.

In his acceptance speech, President Mahama dedicated the honour to the people of Ghana, describing it as a recognition shared with the country.
He used the occasion to emphasise the importance of transport infrastructure in driving economic growth, explaining that efficient transport systems connect farmers to markets, improve access to education and employment, and enable businesses to move goods more effectively.

The President outlined Ghana’s infrastructure priorities, including plans for a new port at Tema, the reconstruction of major road networks, airport expansion and continued railway development.
He also expressed optimism about restoring Ghana’s national airline before the end of his tenure.

Beyond infrastructure, President Mahama called for stronger academic and technical partnerships between the Russian University of Transport and Ghanaian universities and science institutions.
He identified railway engineering, logistics, road safety, transport technology and traffic management as areas where collaboration could deliver practical benefits for both countries.
The President also encouraged more Ghanaian students to pursue studies at the Russian institution, observing that only one Ghanaian student was currently enrolled there.
Reflecting on his own educational experience in Russia, he noted that generations of Ghanaians had acquired professional skills and established lasting international relationships through studies in Russian and former Soviet institutions.
Energy cooperation and industrialisation
Energy security featured prominently during the President’s interaction with students before the conferment ceremony, where he discussed Ghana’s industrialisation ambitions and the need to create more employment opportunities for young people.
President Mahama said his priority was to translate the country’s macroeconomic progress into jobs and opportunities, while laying the foundation for a stronger industrial economy.

He disclosed that Ghana was exploring nuclear energy as part of efforts to diversify its energy sources and provide the electricity required to support industrial development.
According to him, the processing of Ghana’s mineral resources, including gold, bauxite and manganese, requires substantial and reliable energy supplies.
He pointed to Russia’s technological capabilities in nuclear energy as a potential basis for cooperation, indicating that Ghana would explore opportunities to work with the country in this area.
Such cooperation could open avenues for technical exchanges, specialised training and knowledge-sharing as Ghana considers how to meet its long-term energy needs.
Russia-Africa engagement
President Mahama also expressed optimism about the upcoming Russia-Africa Summit and his bilateral engagements with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the discussions could create new opportunities for investment and strengthen relations between the two countries.
Ghana and Russia have maintained longstanding ties, particularly in education, with thousands of Ghanaian professionals receiving training in Russian and former Soviet institutions over several decades.
The President said renewed academic exchanges and joint research could build on that foundation, allowing institutions in both countries to share expertise, broaden perspectives and promote peaceful cooperation.
He urged students at the Russian University of Transport to approach their studies with dedication, integrity and a willingness to learn from people with different experiences.
President Mahama expressed hope that the honorary doctorate would serve as a catalyst for stronger institutional relationships and practical partnerships between Ghana and Russia.
The visit therefore places renewed attention on cooperation extending beyond traditional educational exchanges to transport infrastructure, nuclear energy, technology transfer and investment sectors that could contribute to Ghana’s industrialisation agenda if translated into concrete agreements and projects.