Mahama Begins Talks with Russia Over Ghana’s First Nuclear Power Station

According to a report by MyJoyOnline published on October 29, 2026, President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana has initiated discussions with Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, over the establishment of the country’s first nuclear power station.

President John Dramani Mahama made the announcement while addressing the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin. He explained that the proposed cooperation forms part of Ghana’s efforts to secure reliable and affordable electricity to support industrialisation and diversify the country’s energy mix.

The President said Ghana was pursuing a combination of renewable energy and nuclear power to meet its growing electricity needs. He noted that nuclear energy could contribute to the country’s long-term energy security and provide a dependable source of electricity for industrial development.

President John Dramani Mahama also recalled the historical nuclear cooperation between Ghana and Russia, dating back to 1964. During that period, the Soviet Union provided Ghana with a two-megawatt nuclear reactor for scientific research.

He added that several Ghanaian nuclear scientists received training in Russia to operate the research reactor, highlighting the longstanding technical relationship between the two countries.

Beyond nuclear energy, President John Dramani Mahama called for stronger economic cooperation between Ghana and Russia. He identified agriculture, agro-processing, healthcare, energy, security and digital services as areas with potential for increased investment.

He also expressed interest in collaboration involving fertiliser production, agricultural machinery, pharmaceuticals, transport infrastructure and digital technology. According to the President, Russia’s expertise in these sectors could help improve agricultural productivity, strengthen food security and support Ghana’s development.

President John Dramani Mahama further urged both sides to take practical measures to expand trade, including improving market access for African products and exploring legitimate trade settlements through local currencies and digital payment systems.

He also proposed a Russia-Africa digital innovation and artificial intelligence programme to encourage joint research, skills development and technology transfer.

Although the discussions with Rosatom mark a step towards exploring nuclear power cooperation, they do not yet amount to a final agreement or confirm when construction of the proposed station could begin. Further negotiations and the necessary technical, regulatory and financial arrangements will be important to the project’s progress.

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