Mahama secures six commitments in nuclear energy, agric, and other areas from Putin after Russia-Africa Summit

President John Dramani Mahama has secured six commitments from Russian President Vladimir Putin following bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, according to Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

The commitments are expected to deepen cooperation between Ghana and Russia in energy, defence, agriculture, education and security.

A statement by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, outlining the outcomes of the meeting, said Russia had agreed to work with Ghana towards establishing a 2,000-megawatt nuclear power plant to strengthen the country’s energy security and support industrialisation.

The proposed project is expected to revive Ghana’s longstanding ambition to develop nuclear energy, an initiative associated with the vision of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, whose administration began preparatory work on a nuclear research facility before the February 1966 coup.

President Mahama is also said to have secured a new defence cooperation arrangement aimed at helping Ghana acquire strategic military equipment to strengthen the capabilities of the Ghana Armed Forces.

On agriculture, the two countries are expected to deepen collaboration to increase grain production and improve access to fertilisers as part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s food security.

The statement further indicated that Russia had agreed to increase scholarship opportunities for Ghanaian students.

It said Ghana currently ranked second among African countries in terms of the number of students studying in Russia.

Another significant outcome of the discussions, according to the statement, concerns the participation of Ghanaians in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Following concerns raised by President Mahama, President Putin is said to have declared that Ghanaians would no longer be permitted to participate in the conflict, whether through irregular recruitment arrangements or voluntary enlistment.

The two countries have also agreed to revive the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC), with Russia expected to host the next meeting in the coming weeks.

Ghana and Russia have maintained formal diplomatic relations since 1958, with both countries pursuing cooperation in various sectors over the years.

The latest engagements form part of efforts to strengthen the longstanding relationship and expand areas of mutual economic and strategic interest.