Ghana Seeks Russian Nuclear Power and BRICS Partnership

President John Dramani Mahama is seeking to revitalize bilateral relations with Russia to diversify Ghana's energy mix and expand its economic reach. During the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, Mahama announced that Ghana has initiated discussions with Rosatom, Russia's state nuclear energy corporation, to establish the country's first nuclear power station. He also expressed interest in Russian solar technology and invited strategic partnerships in pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, transport infrastructure, and the digital economy.

To increase economic sovereignty, Mahama called for the adoption of local currencies and digital payment systems for trade settlements between Africa and Russia. On the diplomatic front, Ghana's Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced that Russia has pledged support for Ghana's bid to join the BRICS bloc as a partner country. Ghanaian officials clarified that this pursuit is intended to attract investment and expand trade rather than replace existing Western institutional relationships.

While the government pursues these partnerships, some Ghanaian economic experts have urged caution. Professor Godfred A. Bokpin and Dalex Finance CEO Joe Jackson argued that membership in BRICS alone will not transform the economy, stating that Ghana requires a clear national strategy and a focus on strengthening indigenous businesses to realize tangible gains.