President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that Ghana has initiated discussions with Russia on establishing the country’s first nuclear power station, as part of efforts to secure reliable electricity for industrialisation.
Speaking at the third Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow on Thursday, October 29, the President said cooperation with Russia in nuclear energy could help Ghana strengthen its electricity supply and support its long-term industrial development.
“Industrialisation requires reliable and affordable electricity,” President Mahama told participants at the summit, stressing the importance of developing a diversified energy mix that includes renewable energy and the peaceful use of nuclear power.
He said Ghana had maintained a longstanding relationship with Russia in nuclear science, dating back to 1964, when the Soviet Union provided the country with a nuclear reactor for scientific and research purposes.
The President also recalled that several Ghanaian nuclear scientists had received training in Russia to operate the reactor, describing the historical cooperation as a foundation on which the two countries could build stronger energy partnerships.
“We have initiated discussions with Russia on the establishment of Ghana’s first nuclear power station,” he said.
President Mahama identified energy security as a critical area for cooperation between Africa and Russia, noting that inadequate electricity supply remained a major obstacle to the continent’s economic progress.
He said Russia’s experience in renewable and nuclear energy presented opportunities for partnerships that could help African countries address their energy challenges while supporting industrial growth.
The President’s remarks form part of Ghana’s broader push to deepen economic and technological cooperation with Russia, moving beyond historical diplomatic relations towards practical partnerships that deliver tangible development outcomes.
He urged both sides to translate the goodwill between them into concrete projects capable of improving people’s lives, arguing that the success of the summit would ultimately be measured by the benefits communities derive from the agreements reached.
“The most lasting expression of our friendship will be the progress that people can see in their communities and their lives,” he said.
By Jesse Otoo
