President John Dramani Mahama says he will try to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine when he travels to Russia for the Russia-Africa Summit.
“I’m going to Russia for the Russia-Africa Summit and try to convince President Putin to have a ceasefire if I can,” he said.
President Mahama made the remarks on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, during an interview with the Financial Times at its Africa Summit.
His comments came during a discussion on Russia’s involvement in security operations in the Sahel and Ghana’s relations with global powers.
Security cooperation
On Russian military involvement in the Sahel, President Mahama said countries in the region should be able to receive assistance from any partner willing to help fight terrorism.
“My opinion is that anybody who is committed to the fight against terrorism is welcome,” he said.
He referred to Russia’s Africa Corps, which succeeded the Wagner Group in the region, and said the force was providing logistical support and technical training to some countries.
President Mahama said Ghana also cooperated with the United Kingdom, Germany, France and the United States on security matters, including intelligence-sharing and joint training.
He said members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) should be open to assistance from partners willing to support efforts to combat terrorism.
The President called for a new approach to security cooperation in West Africa, saying the existing Accra Initiative had stalled.
He said negotiators from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and representatives of AES countries had recently met in Dakar, Senegal, to discuss ways to improve relations and cooperation.
President Mahama expressed hope that the dialogue would lead to a platform for countries in the region to work together against violent extremism.
Non-alignment policy
President Mahama said Ghana would maintain its non-alignment policy and friendly relations with competing global powers.
“We are friends to all and enemies to none,” he said.
He said Ghana welcomed investment from the United States, the European Union, China and Russia, adding that the country’s foreign policy was not about choosing sides but about attracting investment while securing fair returns for all parties.
