Ghana and Russia on Monday signed a visa waiver agreement, the first of its kind between the two countries since they established formal diplomatic relations in 1958.
The deal was concluded on August 17, 2026, at the start of a three-day official visit to Russia by Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, at the invitation of his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.
The visa waiver is expected to serve as an initial step toward broader negotiations on enhanced travel privileges for other categories of travellers. Officials said the arrangement aims to deepen trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.
During bilateral talks, the two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation in strategic sectors, including education, energy, agriculture, security and defence, and minerals exploration.
Speaking at a press briefing, Mr. Ablakwa expressed the Ghanaian government’s appreciation to Russia for its continued cooperation and support for the country’s industrialisation and job creation efforts.
