Ghana’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Dr. Koma Steem Jehu-Appiah, has officially presented his Letters of Credence to President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, formally beginning his tenure in strengthening the Ghana–Russia bilateral relationship, which has stood for 68 years.
The ceremony took place on January 15, 2025, where Dr. Jehu-Appiah was among 32 ambassadors from across the world presenting their credentials. During the event, Moscow assured sustained commitment to Ghana and Africa more broadly, emphasizing Russia’s support for development initiatives across the continent, an engagement shaped by its historical role in Africa’s liberation from colonial rule.
This follows his earlier engagement with the presentation of his open letters of accreditation to H.E. Sergey Vasilyevich Vershinin, Acting Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs in Charge of Africa, on Friday, 10 October 2025, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. He was accompanied by Mr. Herbert Addy-Nettey, Minister-Counsellor for Political and Economic Affairs, and Dr. Abiel A. Armah, Minister-Counsellor and Head of Chancery.
Ambassador Jehu-Appiah reiterated Ghana’s dedication to promoting mutually beneficial partnerships with African countries, emphasizing cooperation in political, economic, and cultural spheres. He underscored the importance of leveraging diplomatic ties to strengthen regional development, advance trade and investment opportunities, and expand Africa’s voice in international fora.
Dr. Jehu-Appiah brings extensive professional experience to his diplomatic role. A public health expert with over 30 years of practice, he has served in premier hospitals in Ghana, advised the Royal Netherlands Embassy on health policy, and led an international NGO as Country Director for 14 years. He is also co-founder and Vice President of AYA Collective, a youth advocacy NGO, and has spent over a decade hosting radio programs on sexual and reproductive health education. His leadership, advocacy experience, and international exposure are expected to strengthen Ghana’s diplomatic footprint in Russia and across Africa.
Ghana and Russia share a long-standing diplomatic history. Formal relations were established on 14 January 1958, with the Soviet embassy in Accra opening in 1959 and the Ghanaian embassy in Moscow following in 1960. Since then, the two nations have nurtured a multifaceted relationship encompassing political dialogue, trade, education, defence, and cultural exchange. Cooperation has included technical assistance in mining and energy, student scholarships in science and engineering, and collaboration on defence training programs.
Over the decades, Russia has supported Ghana’s industrial and technological development, providing expertise in energy, infrastructure, and scientific research. Ghana has in turn maintained strong bilateral engagement, contributing to regional stability and fostering mutually beneficial economic partnerships. Ambassador Jehu-Appiah’s tenure is expected to build on this foundation, advancing Ghana’s interests in Russia while reinforcing broader African regional cooperation initiatives.
Related Posts
