The Russian Embassy in Ghana has rejected the European Union’s assessment of Russia as an unreliable partner to Ghana, arguing that sanctions and restrictions imposed by Western countries are affecting Russian-backed investment, financing and commercial transactions in Africa.
The response follows remarks by EU Ambassador to Ghana, Rune Skinnebach, published by The Diplomatic Times on September 11, in which he described Russia as “neither a credible nor reliable partner” for Ghana. Skinnebach cited several proposed Russian-backed projects, including a nuclear power project, a US$1 billion Russia Export Centre facility and a US$12.5 billion railway proposal linking Accra to Paga, as examples of commitments he said had not been fulfilled.
In a statement issued on September 15, the Russian Embassy disputed that assessment, saying the EU Ambassador’s characterization was unfounded and did not reflect what Moscow described as its longstanding relationship with African countries.
“The EU Ambassador took the liberty of describing Russia as ‘neither a credible nor reliable partner’ for Ghana. This assertion is not merely unfounded, it turns reality on its head,” the Embassy said.
At the centre of the Russian response is the impact of Western sanctions on business dealings with Russian entities. The Embassy said sanctions imposed by the United States, European Union and their allies have created difficulties with financing, logistics and international payments, while African banks and companies working with Russian partners face increased compliance and financial risks.
The Embassy therefore attributed delays affecting some Russian investment projects in Africa to what it described as restrictions on Russian-linked transactions, rather than a lack of willingness or capacity on Russia’s part. Those claims represent Moscow’s position, while the extent to which sanctions have affected individual projects would need to be assessed on a project-by-project basis.
For Ghanaian businesses and policymakers, the dispute has a direct commercial dimension. Large infrastructure, energy and technology projects depend not only on political commitments, but also on financing arrangements, payment channels, procurement, insurance, equipment supply and the ability of companies to operate within international sanctions and banking requirements.
The Embassy maintained that Ghana and Russia continue to engage on trade, investment, energy and technology. It also said bilateral trade turnover increased again during the first half of 2026. Russia’s Ambassador to Ghana, Andrei Ordash, has separately described Ghana as increasingly attractive to Russian businesses and said the country is interested in Russian technology as part of efforts to modernise its economy.
The figures cited by the EU Ambassador also point to the scale of expectations surrounding Russian economic involvement in Ghana. The proposed US$12.5 billion railway project relates to an earlier Russian proposal involving the development of Ghana’s railway network, while the US$1 billion Russia Export Centre figure dates to a financing initiative intended to support Russian companies seeking opportunities in Ghana. The Rosatom proposal is linked to cooperation between Ghana’s nuclear authorities and the Russian nuclear company.
The disagreement extends beyond investment. Skinnebach’s comments also raised concerns about the alleged recruitment of Ghanaian citizens to participate in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said in August that 62 Ghanaians had died and 15 remained missing after travelling to Russia in circumstances the government was investigating.
The Russian Embassy rejected allegations that Russia deliberately recruits African citizens through deceptive schemes, while acknowledging that Russian law permits foreign nationals to serve in its military under contract. The competing claims make the issue particularly significant for Ghana, where the government has been seeking information on the fate and circumstances of Ghanaian nationals involved in the conflict.
The Embassy also challenged EU criticism on issues involving Ukrainian children, the conflict in Ukraine and Russia’s wider relations with African states. It rejected allegations concerning the unlawful transfer of Ukrainian children and criticised an Accra event linked to the international “Bring Kids Back UA” initiative. The EU and Ukrainian authorities maintain a different position, alleging that Ukrainian children have been unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred and supporting international efforts to facilitate their return. Those claims remain part of the wider diplomatic dispute between Moscow and European governments.
Despite the increasingly sharp rhetoric, economic relations between Ghana and Russia have continued. Ghana-Russia trade rose from about US$247 million in 2022 to more than US$800 million in 2024, according to figures reported by the Ghana News Agency.
The Russian Embassy concluded its response by reaffirming its position that Moscow remains “a reliable, predictable and equal partner to Ghana” and said it offers Ghana “additional opportunities.”
For Ghana, the immediate economic question arising from the dispute is therefore less about competing diplomatic descriptions and more about the measurable performance of individual partnerships: whether promised financing is secured, projects are delivered, jobs and local business opportunities are created, technology is transferred, and transactions can be conducted within applicable international rules. Those factors will ultimately determine the practical value of any external economic partnership to Ghana.
