President Mahama Secures Six Major Commitments From Putin During Russia Visit – Ablakwa

Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced six major commitments secured by President John Dramani Mahama following his direct discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Russia-Africa Summit.

In a statement shared on his official X account, Ablakwa described the summit as a successful engagement, explaining that the discussions between the two leaders had resulted in important agreements covering energy, defence, agriculture, education and security cooperation.

One of the major commitments announced by the minister is Russia’s agreement to work with Ghana towards establishing a 2,000-megawatt nuclear power plant to strengthen the country’s energy security and support its industrialisation agenda.

According to Ablakwa, the proposed project represents a revival of the vision of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who had initiated preparatory work towards establishing a nuclear power facility before his government was overthrown in the February 1966 coup.

The minister also disclosed that Ghana and Russia had agreed to pursue a new defence pact aimed at acquiring strategic military assets for the Ghana Armed Forces, a development expected to strengthen military cooperation between the two countries.

On agriculture, Ablakwa explained that both nations would deepen their partnership to increase grain production and improve access to fertilisers, with the cooperation expected to support Ghana’s agricultural development and food production efforts.

Education also featured prominently in the discussions, as Russia has agreed to increase scholarship opportunities for Ghanaian students seeking to pursue their studies in the country. Ablakwa noted that Ghana currently ranks as the second African country with the highest number of students in Russia.

Another significant outcome involved concerns over Ghanaians participating in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, with Ablakwa revealing that President Putin had declared that Ghanaians would no longer be allowed to take part in the conflict.

He explained that the policy would apply regardless of the circumstances surrounding recruitment, including irregular recruitment arrangements and individuals expressing voluntary interest in joining the war.

The announcement comes amid concerns about reports of foreign nationals being recruited to participate in the conflict, making the issue an important part of the discussions between the Ghanaian and Russian leaders.

Ablakwa further announced that both countries had agreed to revive their Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC), with Moscow prepared to host the next meeting within the coming weeks.

The commission is expected to provide a platform for both governments to strengthen bilateral relations, review existing agreements and identify additional areas for cooperation.

Reflecting on the relationship between the two countries, the foreign affairs minister noted that Ghana and Russia had maintained cordial and mutually beneficial formal diplomatic relations since 1958.

The six commitments announced by Ablakwa cover several strategic areas of national development, with energy infrastructure, military cooperation, agricultural production, educational opportunities and the protection of Ghanaian citizens forming key parts of the renewed engagement between Accra and Moscow.

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