Ghana has initiated discussions with Russia’s State Nuclear Energy Corporation, Rosatom, for the establishment of the country’s first nuclear power station, President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed.
The revelation came during his address at the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow yesterday, where he also called for the use of local currencies and digital payment systems to settle legitimate trade between Africa and Russia.
President Mahama told the gathering of African leaders and Russian officials, chaired by President Vladimir Putin, that Ghana was pursuing a diversified energy mix, including renewables, while advancing the foundations for the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
“We have initiated discussions with Rosatom on the establishment of Ghana’s first nuclear power station,” he said, recalling that the Soviet Union had provided Ghana with a two-megawatt nuclear reactor for research purposes as far back as 1964.
The President’s disclosure on nuclear cooperation formed the newest element of a wide-ranging speech that also focused on trade, agriculture, and digital innovation.
He used the platform to invite Russian businesses to partner their Ghanaian counterparts in agro-processing, fertiliser production, pharmaceuticals, and transport infrastructure.
Local currency trade
In a significant push for economic sovereignty, President Mahama called for mechanisms to make legitimate trade settlements using local currencies and digital payment systems.
“To create a more seamless environment for trade and investment, we must find appropriate mechanisms for making legitimate trade settlements that include the use of our local currencies and other digital payment systems,” he said, adding that central banks, commercial banks, and fintech companies had a key role to play.
He said while trade between Africa and Russia had considerable room to grow, practical barriers must be removed to translate goodwill into lasting commercial relationships.
Ghana, he said, offered opportunities in cocoa, cashew, horticulture and mineral processing, and was well-placed to support businesses seeking continent-wide access as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.
Personal ties and historical solidarity
President Mahama, who studied in Moscow on a full scholarship between 1986 and 1988, described himself as “a symbol of the friendship of the Russian people.”
He thanked President Putin and the Russian people for their historical solidarity with Africa during the struggle against colonialism and apartheid.
Next year, Ghana will celebrate 70 years of independence as the first sub-Saharan African country to break free from colonial domination, and the President saluted Russia for its role in the decolonisation of the continent.
Peace and security
On global security, President Mahama called for an amicable resolution of conflicts around the world, and expressed appreciation for Russia’s willingness to resume trilateral talks on the Ukraine conflict.
He also called for international cooperation in the fight against terrorism, especially in the territories of the Alliance of Sahelian States.
As the summit entered its second day, President Mahama urged delegates to leave with a clear commitment to action.
“The most lasting expression of our friendship will be the progress our people can see in their communities and their lives,” he said.
