Ghana’s Ambassador to the Federation of Russia, Dr. Koma Steem Jehu-Appiah, has been conferred the prestigious Alumni Star Award at the 66th Anniversary celebrations of RUDN University in Moscow.
The award, named after Professor Vladimir Franzevich Stanis, recognizes distinguished alumni who have made significant contributions in their professional fields and promoted international cooperation.
In his acceptance speech, Ambassador Dr. Jehu-Appiah expressed deep gratitude for the education and training he received at RUDN University, which has been instrumental in his successful career both as a medical practitioner and as a diplomat.
He also highlighted the enduring ties between Ghana and Russia, emphasizing the importance of academic cooperation, joint research, and exchange programs. The ambassador commended RUDN for its commitment to fostering global understanding and promoting cultural diversity.
The award ceremony coincided with a recent visit by Dr. Jehu-Appiah to his alma mater on 3rd February 2026, where he was accompanied by Mr. Herbert Addy-Nettey, Minister-Counsellor for Political and Economic Affairs, and Dr. Abiel Armah, Minister-Counsellor and Head of Chancery. During the visit, the ambassador and RUDN Rector Professor Oleg Yastrebov discussed potential collaborations in scholarships and joint research initiatives, reinforcing the long-standing educational and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Ghana and Russia share a history of cooperation dating back to Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, whose socialist policies positioned Ghana as a partner of the former USSR during the Cold War. Diplomatic relations were formally established in 1958, with the Soviet Embassy opening in Accra in 1959 and the Ghanaian Embassy in Moscow in 1960.
Highlighting Russia’s continued investment in Ghanaian education, the Russian Embassy reported that in 2026, 460 first-year students at the University of Ghana enrolled in Russian studies. The Embassy also donated 400 sets of textbooks to the University of Ghana’s Faculty of Philology—the first such donation since 198, through a program supporting Russian language education abroad.
Additionally, the Ghana University of Media, Arts and Communication-Institute of Journalism is enrolling students in Russian Studies, while initiatives such as Russian language classes for Ghanaian schoolchildren at the E-Mort School Complex, seminars, lectures, and masterclasses continue to promote Russian culture and education among youth.
Institutions such as Yaroslavl State Pedagogical University, with its open education centers in Ghana, and collaborations with Tomsk State University and the Russkiy Mir Foundation, have further strengthened these programs, enrolling over 900 students in free Russian language courses earlier this year.
The recognition of Ambassador Jehu-Appiah with the Alumni Star Award underscores not only his personal achievements but also the strong partnership between Ghana and Russia in education, diplomacy, and cultural exchange.
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