{
  "id": 19292163,
  "title": "Why I’m Pursuing Nuclear Energy Deal With Russia – Mahama",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/why-im-pursuing-nuclear-energy-deal-with-russia-mahama",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-10T05:58:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Chronicle Ghana",
    "slug": "the-chronicle-ghana",
    "url": "https://thechronicle.com.gh/why-im-pursuing-nuclear-energy-deal-with-russia-mahama/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled plans to add 2,000 megawatts of nuclear power to Ghana's energy portfolio, aiming to lower electricity tariffs, especially for industries, and diversify the country's power generation sources. Mahama confirmed that Ghana has entered into an agreement with Russia's nuclear power agency, Rosatom, to pursue this development, with ongoing negotiations following the Attorney-General's review of the memorandum of understanding (MoU). During an interaction with the Presidential Press Corps following engagements in Ethiopia, Russia, and Antigua and Barbuda, Mahama emphasized that nuclear energy would complement existing hydro, gas, and solar sources, creating a balanced and more affordable energy mix. He highlighted that nuclear power has significantly lower tariffs compared to fossil fuels, which could help reduce electricity costs for industries. Rosatom, known for constructing nearly 38 nuclear plants globally, including in Egypt, expressed willingness to assist Ghana in its nuclear energy endeavors. After the Attorney-General's approval of the MoU, further discussions between Ghanaian authorities and Rosatom would take place, ultimately requiring Cabinet consideration and parliamentary ratification. The nuclear energy proposal was among the key topics discussed during Mahama's bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Russia-Africa Summit, which also encompassed education, security, artificial intelligence, digital education, transportation, railway development, and increased scholarship opportunities for Ghanaian students in Russia. Mahama clarified that Ghana's growing ties with Russia and its aspiration to become a BRICS partner do not indicate a departure from Ghana's non-alignment foreign policy, which he defined as facing forward. He emphasized that becoming a BRICS partner was about partnership status, not full membership, and remained consistent with Ghana's foreign policy principle of maintaining amicable relations with all nations. Mahama also discussed Ghana's role in reforming the global financial architecture, addressing Africa's debt burden, and improving access to affordable credit for developing countries during his engagement with British Prime Minister, Andy Burnham. He pointed out that many countries were allocating more funds to debt repayment and interest than to healthcare, necessitating immediate international attention. Mahama stressed the need for stronger African financial institutions, such as the African Development Bank, African Export-Import Bank, and Africa Finance Corporation, to enhance their ability to finance development across the continent. On reparations, Mahama reported progress in securing acknowledgment, apologies, and practical steps for addressing the consequences of the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism. He mentioned the adoption of a UN resolution on the slave trade, which garnered 123 votes, as a significant milestone. He advocated for reparations to extend beyond formal apologies to tackling the lasting impacts of slavery and colonial exploitation through interventions in debt treatment, education, healthcare, and economic development, with reparations not necessarily entailing direct cash payments. Mahama also explored trade and investment opportunities with Singapore, Canada, and Caribbean nations. He mentioned Singapore's substantial presence with around 150 businesses in Ghana, illustrating the potential for further economic collaboration.",
  "summary": "President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to add 2,000 megawatts (MW) of nuclear power to Ghana’s energy mix, saying the move would help reduce electricity tariffs, particularly for industries, and diversify the country’s sources of power generation. He said Ghana had reached an agreement with Russia’s nuclear power agency, Rosatom, on the proposed development, […] The post Why I’m…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}