Mahama says Ghana is in talks with Russia over first nuclear power station
President John Dramani Mahama says Ghana has initiated discussions with Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, over the establishment of the country’s first nuclear power station. He said the proposed cooperation forms part of Ghana’s efforts to secure reliable and affordable electricity to support industrialisation, while diversifying the country’s energy mix to include renewable and…
Ghana's President, John Dramani Mahama, announced during the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow that his country is engaged in talks with Russia's state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, regarding the construction of Ghana's first nuclear power station. Mahama emphasized that the potential collaboration aligns with Ghana's strategy to achieve reliable, affordable electricity essential for industrialization and to diversify the nation's energy portfolio to include renewable and nuclear sources.
Recalling the historic nuclear partnership established between Ghana and Russia in 1964, Mahama highlighted that the Soviet Union had provided Ghana with a two-megawatt nuclear reactor for scientific research, and several Ghanaian nuclear experts had received training in Russia to operate it. He further noted that Ghana is eager to forge broader economic ties with Russia, suggesting potential collaboration opportunities in various sectors such as agriculture, agro-processing, healthcare, energy, security, and digital services.
In terms of agriculture, Mahama highlighted Russia's expertise in fertiliser production, agricultural machinery, and scientific research, which could significantly enhance Ghana's food security. He urged both nations to take concrete measures to expand trade between Africa and Russia, proposing solutions such as improving market access for African products and exploring methods to facilitate trade settlements using local currencies and digital payment systems.
Additionally, Mahama suggested forming a Russia-Africa digital innovation and artificial intelligence programme to foster joint research, skills development, and technology transfer. This could potentially apply AI in various fields, including agriculture, healthcare, education, and public services. While the discussions with Rosatom do not guarantee a final agreement or a construction timeline for the nuclear power plant, they mark a significant step towards Ghana's ambitions in nuclear energy and economic cooperation with Russia.
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