John Dramani Mahama seeks Russian partnership for solar and nuclear energy

President John Dramani Mahama has expressed a strong interest in deepening bilateral cooperation with Russia to bolster Ghana's energy sector. Speaking at the Russia-Africa Summit ahead of a high-level meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Ghanaian leader identified solar and nuclear power as key areas for collaboration. This move aligns with his administration's broader strategy to diversify the nation's energy mix and secure its position as a regional energy hub.

Mahama highlighted the long-standing historical ties between Ghana and Russia, suggesting that these relations provide a solid foundation for new technical partnerships. He emphasized that the transition toward solar and nuclear energy is essential for sustainable development. By leveraging Russia's advanced technological expertise in these fields, Ghana aims to reduce its reliance on traditional thermal and hydro sources while addressing the growing demand for clean, renewable energy.

A primary objective of this proposed partnership is to strengthen Ghana's role as a major electricity exporter within the West African sub-region. President Mahama noted that Ghana already supplies power to several neighboring countries and intends to expand this capacity significantly. He believes that integrating Russian nuclear and solar technology will not only ensure domestic energy security but also provide the surplus needed to drive regional economic integration through power exports.

The upcoming bilateral discussions with President Putin are expected to formalise specific areas of technical and economic cooperation. Beyond infrastructure, the partnership is anticipated to include knowledge transfer and training for Ghanaian engineers and scientists. As the summit progresses, the Mahama administration remains focused on securing investments that will modernize Ghana’s power grid and support its long-term industrialization agenda.