President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin to pursue a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war when he travels to Russia for the Russia-Africa Summit, following his engagements at the Financial Times (FT) Africa Summit 2026 in London, United Kingdom.
President Mahama disclosed the planned diplomatic engagement while outlining Ghana’s non-alignment foreign policy, stressing that the country maintains relationships across geopolitical divides and welcomes international cooperation.
He indicated that he would use his friendship with Putin to encourage a ceasefire, although he did not suggest that the proposed meeting would guarantee an agreement to end hostilities.
“Indeed, I’m going to Russia for the Russia-Africa summit and try to convince President Putin to have a ceasefire if I can.”
President John Dramani Mahama
Mahama Plans Ceasefire Appeal to Putin
The President’s planned visit to Russia will provide an opportunity to raise the issue of a ceasefire directly with President Putin. His remarks at the FT Africa Summit placed the proposed appeal within Ghana’s broader approach to international relations, which he described as non-aligned and open to engagement with countries across geopolitical divides.
President Mahama emphasised that Ghana seeks to maintain friendly relations with different countries rather than align exclusively with competing international powers. “We are friends to all and enemies to none,” he stated, defending Ghana’s non-alignment policy as an approach that has served the country well.
The President also indicated that Ghana’s international relationships should support dialogue and cooperation on issues of shared concern. His planned appeal to President Putin reflects his stated intention to use those relations to encourage a ceasefire.
However, the information provided does not specify when President Mahama will meet President Putin, the proposed terms of a ceasefire, or whether discussions with other parties to the conflict are planned as part of the visit.
Ghana Links Foreign Policy to Investment
Beyond the Russia-Ukraine war, President Mahama used the London summit to explain how Ghana’s foreign policy supports its approach to international investment. He stated that the country welcomes investors from across the world and does not view investment as a contest in which one side must lose for another to benefit.
The President argued that partnerships should deliver returns to investors while improving conditions for people in host communities. “It’s not about competition. It’s about investment and a fair return to everybody, including ourselves,” he disclosed.
President Mahama also warned against investment models that create isolated pockets of prosperity while surrounding communities remain impoverished. He argued that such inequalities could threaten the security and sustainability of investments.
“You cannot have prosperity in the midst of poverty. That itself is a danger to investments,” he stated. His comments connected Ghana’s approach to foreign relations with the government’s stated interest in attracting investment that supports broader economic development.
Mahama Welcomes Cooperation Against Terrorism
The President also addressed regional security, declaring that Ghana welcomes partners committed to combating terrorism. “My opinion on this is that anybody who is committed to the fight against terrorism is welcome,” President Mahama stated at the summit.
His remarks reflected an approach that allows Ghana to cooperate with countries and partners based on their commitment to addressing security threats, rather than restricting engagement to particular geopolitical groupings.
President Mahama also discussed the proposed deployment of a West African standby force to tackle insecurity. He attributed delays in deploying the force to the absence of a United Nations resolution that could help provide the financing required for its operations.
The information provided does not establish a deployment date or detail the force’s operational arrangements. However, the President’s comments highlighted the importance of securing the financial support required to advance the regional security initiative.
Ghana Targets Local Processing of Gold and Cocoa
President Mahama’s remarks in London also focused on Ghana’s plans to increase the domestic value derived from its natural resources and agricultural commodities.
He disclosed that the country aims to ban exports of raw materials by 2030 to encourage local processing, specifically identifying lithium, manganese, bauxite and gold as resources central to the ambition.
The President also reported that 70% of Ghana’s gold is currently refined locally before export. He expressed confidence that the country would eventually refine all its gold domestically. “I was sure that soon we would refine 100% of gold. That should bring some of the processing home and create jobs for people,” he stated.
The targets reflect the government’s stated intention to retain more processing activity within Ghana. However, the supplied information does not provide a detailed implementation timetable for the proposed raw material export ban or explain how the individual targets will be enforced.
Mahama to Continue Security Engagements in Ethiopia
President Mahama’s participation in the FT Africa Summit forms part of his international engagements on Africa’s economic prospects, investment and security.
The two-day event brings together heads of state, global business leaders and institutional financiers to discuss inclusive growth and the mobilisation of capital amid changes in the global economic order.
The President, who chairs the Presidential Council of the Accra Reset initiative, is expected to share perspectives on the challenges and opportunities shaping Africa’s economic future.
After his engagements in the United Kingdom, President Mahama is scheduled to travel to Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, to chair the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa. He is scheduled to present the State of Security in Africa Report on Saturday, October 24, 2026, in his capacity as chairperson of the forum.
His planned appeal to President Putin will be one element of a wider diplomatic agenda that includes regional security cooperation and economic partnerships. Whether the Russia engagement advances ceasefire efforts remains uncertain, but President Mahama has publicly stated his intention to use Ghana’s relationship with the Russian leader to encourage a halt to hostilities.
READ ALSO: NPA Act Overhaul Puts Fuel Pricing Framework Under Review
