AMA, Russian Embassy explore new areas of cooperation
Written by; Regina Bless
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the Embassy of Russia in Ghana are exploring new avenues of collaboration aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and promoting practical partnerships in key areas of development.
The discussions took place on Monday, September 7, 2026, when the Russian Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Andrei Ordash, paid a courtesy call on the Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey.
The meeting focused on potential cooperation in education, investment, urban development, culture and people-to-people exchanges, with both sides expressing interest in building partnerships that could deliver mutual benefits.
Mayor Allotey noted that Accra could draw valuable lessons from the development experiences of Russian cities, particularly in urban planning, infrastructure, technology and metropolitan administration. He cited cities such as Moscow as potential sources of best practices while emphasising that Accra could also share its own experiences in local governance and city management.
The Mayor further proposed establishing city-to-city partnerships between Accra and selected Russian cities to facilitate knowledge-sharing, institutional cooperation and development initiatives.
Ambassador Ordash welcomed the proposed areas of collaboration and also discussed Ghana’s administrative structure, including the creation of municipalities from the former metropolitan area.
He revealed that the Russian Embassy was preparing activities ahead of the 2028 anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ghana and Russia, including a proposed symbolic tree-planting ceremony at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.
The Ambassador also highlighted Russia’s annual Victory Day celebrations on May 9, suggesting possible cooperation on commemorative activities aimed at promoting historical awareness and cultural exchange.
On education, Ambassador Ordash disclosed that Russia had doubled its scholarship allocation for Ghanaian students from 120 to 240 this year. He said about 900 applications were received, from which 240 successful candidates were selected.
He encouraged Ghanaian students interested in studying in Russia to begin preparing early for the next scholarship cycle, indicating that a similar number of opportunities was expected to be offered.
The Ambassador further said the upcoming Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow was expected to provide additional opportunities for collaboration in education, trade, investment and other development sectors.
He also encouraged stronger direct engagement between Ghanaian and Russian businesses, stressing Russia’s interest in supporting African countries to expand local production and strengthen their value chains.
The meeting underscored the shared interest of the AMA and the Russian Embassy in turning diplomatic relations into practical partnerships that can contribute to Accra’s development and strengthen Ghana-Russia cooperation.