Mahama Pitches Ghana as Gateway for Russian Investment, Calls for Lasting Peace in Ukraine Conflict

By: John Justice Ahoto

President John Dramani Mahama has invited Russian investors to partner with Ghanaian businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, energy and the digital economy, positioning Ghana as the gateway to Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Addressing the 3rd Russia-Africa Summit at St. George’s Hall in the Kremlin on Wednesday, President Mahama said trade between Africa and Russia has room to grow, but practical barriers must be removed to turn goodwill into lasting commercial relationships.

“Ghana offers opportunities in cocoa, cashew, shea nuts, horticulture, mineral processing and manufacturing,” Mahama told more than 40 African leaders and Russian President Vladimir Putin. “As host of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Ghana is well placed to support businesses seeking opportunities across the continent.”

President Mahama called for new mechanisms to settle legitimate trade, including the use of local currencies and digital payment systems. He said central banks, commercial banks and fintech companies have a critical role to play in creating a seamless environment for trade.

He also urged Russia to improve market access for African products through better market information, predictable standards and stronger logistics.

On energy, Mahama revealed that Ghana has initiated discussions with Russian state nuclear company Rosatom for its first nuclear power station, as part of a diversified energy mix that includes renewables.

He traced the cooperation to 1964, when the Soviet Union provided Ghana with a two-megawatt research reactor and trained Ghanaian nuclear scientists.

“Industrialization requires reliable and affordable electricity,” he said.

On technology, Mahama proposed a joint Russia-Africa digital innovation and Artificial Intelligence programme to bring together universities, research institutions and businesses to work on agriculture, healthcare, education, transport and revenue collection.

The President identified fertilizer production, agricultural machinery and precision agriculture as key areas for cooperation, saying reliable and competitively priced fertilizer would help Ghanaian farmers plan with confidence. He proposed investment in local fertilizer production and blending, soil mapping and satellite-guided farming.

On global security, President Mahama commended President Putin for his willingness to resume trilateral talks on the Ukraine conflict and called for a lasting peace agreement that guarantees security for both Russia and Ukraine.

“We appreciate your willingness to resume trilateral talks… and your call for a lasting peace agreement and security for both Russia and Ukraine,” he stated.

He also called for international solidarity in the fight against terrorism, especially in the Alliance of Sahelian States.

The Ghanaian leader anchored his address in history, recalling Russia’s support for Africa’s decolonization, the fight against apartheid, and its education of thousands of African students. He disclosed that he himself is a product of that friendship, having studied in Moscow on a full scholarship from 1986 to 1988.

“Russia has been a true and selfless friend of Africa,” Mahama said.

He noted that Ghana will celebrate 70 years of independence next year as the first sub-Saharan African country to break free from colonial rule, and saluted Russia’s role in that process.

Mahama said Ghana approaches the partnership guided by non-alignment, respect for sovereignty and peaceful cooperation, seeking “friendship with all countries and partnerships that advance our development priorities.”

He closed by urging leaders to leave Moscow with a commitment to action: “The most lasting expression of our friendship will be the progress our people can see in their communities and their lives.”

The summit, which ends today, brought together representatives from 48 African countries, including 22 heads of state.