Moscow, Russia (Running Africa) — Ghana and Russia have held high-level talks in Moscow aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade and attracting greater investment, as the two countries seek to deepen cooperation beyond traditional economic ties.
Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Monday, with discussions covering trade and investment as well as security and political developments across Africa.
The talks also addressed the fate of Ghanaian nationals reportedly missing after becoming involved as foreign fighters in the Russia-Ukraine war, with Moscow saying its Defense Ministry is reviewing requests from Accra for information.
Ghana and Russia Look to Expand Trade and Investment
Ablakwa said trade between Ghana and Russia is growing and becoming increasingly diversified beyond Ghana’s traditional exports.
The two sides discussed opportunities to strengthen economic cooperation and broaden investment as Accra seeks to expand its international commercial partnerships.
The talks reflect wider efforts by Ghana to diversify its trade relationships while Russia continues to expand its economic and diplomatic engagement across Africa.
Both ministers also discussed regional developments and ongoing crises affecting countries across the continent.
Russia Reviews Ghana’s Requests Over Missing Citizens
During a joint press conference, Lavrov said the Russian Defense Ministry is examining requests from Ghana for information about citizens who may have gone missing while fighting in the war in Ukraine.
He said similar requests from other governments were being handled by a specialized department within the ministry.
The circumstances surrounding the missing Ghanaians remain unclear, including how many citizens are involved and whether their whereabouts have been established.
The issue has added a sensitive consular dimension to relations between Accra and Moscow as African governments increasingly confront reports involving nationals recruited or drawn into the conflict.
Ghana-Russia Talks Cover Wider African Security Crises
Beyond bilateral economic relations, the ministers discussed political and security developments across Africa.
Russia has expanded its presence on the continent in recent years through diplomatic, economic and security partnerships, particularly in countries across the Sahel and other regions facing instability.
For Ghana, strengthening international partnerships comes as West African governments navigate growing security concerns alongside economic pressures and shifting geopolitical relationships.
The Moscow talks therefore extended beyond trade, reflecting the broader political and security issues shaping Russia-Africa relations.
Lavrov Addresses Russia-Japan Kuril Islands Dispute
Lavrov also used the press conference to address Russia’s longstanding territorial dispute with Japan over the Kuril Islands.
He criticized Japanese objections surrounding Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian-controlled archipelago.
The Soviet Union seized the disputed islands from Japan at the end of World War II, and the disagreement over their sovereignty has remained unresolved for decades.
The dispute has prevented Moscow and Tokyo from concluding a formal peace treaty formally settling their wartime hostilities.
Ghana and Russia Push for Deeper Bilateral Cooperation
The Moscow meeting highlighted the expanding scope of Ghana-Russia relations, combining trade and investment ambitions with diplomatic and consular issues linked to wider international conflicts.
For Accra, growing commerce with Russia offers another avenue for diversifying its economic partnerships. At the same time, questions surrounding Ghanaian citizens reportedly involved in the Ukraine war have created an issue requiring direct engagement with Moscow.
With Russia saying its Defense Ministry is reviewing Ghana’s requests, attention will now turn to whether authorities can provide further information about the missing citizens as the two countries pursue broader cooperation.
