President John Dramani Mahama has arrived in Moscow from Ethiopia to lead Ghana’s delegation at the 3rd Russia–Africa Summit, hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Upon landing in the Russian capital on Monday, 26 October 2026, President Mahama was received by Ghana’s Ambassador to Russia, Dr Koma Steem Jehu-Appiah, alongside embassy staff and senior Russian government officials.
The high-level gathering, scheduled for 28–29 October 2026, brings together more than 30 African heads of state and government. Discussions are expected to centre on peace diplomacy, regional security cooperation and trade relations between Russia and African nations.
President Mahama’s participation follows months of coordination between Ghanaian and Russian officials. Speaking at the Financial Times Africa Summit in London on 21 October, the President indicated that peace diplomacy would be a key objective of his trip.
“I’m going to Russia for the Russia–Africa Summit and try to convince President Putin to have a ceasefire if I can,” President Mahama stated during the London event, referring to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Framing the appeal within Ghana’s non-aligned foreign policy posture, which he described as “friends to all and enemies to none,” President Mahama emphasised that Accra maintains balanced relationships with the United States, the European Union, China and Russia. He noted that this diplomatic neutrality allows Ghana to engage directly with Moscow on peace initiatives.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed that President Mahama is scheduled to hold a private, high-level bilateral meeting with President Putin on the sidelines of the summit to discuss bilateral cooperation and global security.
During the two-day summit, President Mahama and other visiting heads of state will participate in the Economic and Humanitarian Forum and attend the summit’s main plenary sessions.
The Ghanaian leader’s itinerary in Moscow also features several key academic, commercial and cultural engagements.
Two prominent Russian academic institutions, the Russian University of Transport and the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, will confer Honorary Doctorate Degrees on President Mahama during separate decoration ceremonies.
The President will grant audiences to representatives from several Russian businesses and state enterprises to explore potential investment opportunities in Ghana.
President Mahama will also visit a specialised Kente exhibition organised by the Russia–Ghana Parliamentary Forum, highlighting Ghanaian heritage and bilateral cultural ties.
