Amanze Chinonye
Ghana and Russia have agreed to expand cooperation in education, energy, trade and other strategic areas, while Moscow pledged to work with Accra to stop the illegal recruitment of Ghanaian youths into its military, Prime Business Africa reports.
The agreement followed talks in Moscow between Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
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Ablakwa said the recruitment of Ghanaians to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war was a major concern raised during the discussions.
He disclosed that 62 Ghanaians had been killed, while 15 others who travelled to Russia remained missing.
“I welcome the pledge of the Russian Government to work with the Government of Ghana to stop the illegal enlistment of our youth,” Ablakwa said.
He added that the Ghanaian government would continue its advocacy to protect citizens from being drawn into the conflict, stressing that the war was not Ghana’s and should not be claiming Ghanaian lives.
Ghanaian authorities have previously raised concerns that some citizens were lured to Russia with promises of civilian employment before being drawn into military service.
As part of efforts to strengthen official relations, the two countries signed a visa-waiver agreement covering diplomatic and service passport holders. The arrangement is expected to facilitate official travel and government-to-government contacts but does not extend visa-free access to ordinary passport holders.
Education also featured prominently in the discussions. Ablakwa said Russia had doubled its annual allocation of full scholarships for Ghanaian students from 120 to 240.
The scholarships will prioritise artificial intelligence, engineering, petroleum sciences and pharmaceuticals, providing additional opportunities for Ghanaian students to pursue specialised training in strategic fields.
The two countries also agreed to advance cooperation on Ghana’s peaceful nuclear energy programme and its green-transition objectives. Ghana is seeking to incorporate 700 megawatts of nuclear power into its electricity generation mix as part of efforts to diversify its energy sources.
Their cooperation will also extend to international issues, including counterterrorism, climate change and reform of the United Nations.
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The recruitment of African nationals into Russia’s military has become a growing concern across the continent. An investigation by Geneva-based Inpact identified 1,417 recruits from 35 African countries who joined the Russian military between 2023 and mid-2025, with 316 reportedly killed.
Ukraine has separately estimated that more than 1,700 Africans were fighting alongside Russian forces.
For Ghana, the latest engagement represents an attempt to address the recruitment of its citizens while expanding cooperation with Moscow in areas ranging from education and energy to international diplomacy.
The government is also seeking to prevent further enlistment and establish the whereabouts of the 15 Ghanaians reported missing in Russia.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
