The Russian Ambassador to Ghana, Sergei Berdnikov, has reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Ghana on migration governance, stressing the importance of structured mobility frameworks that balance free movement with robust security safeguards.
He noted that migration, when properly managed, offers economic, cultural and developmental benefits that can deepen bilateral relations and regional integration.
Ambassador Berdnikov made the remarks at the University of Ghana during events marking the 20th anniversary of the Centre for Migration Studies (CMS), where he highlighted the need for sustained dialogue, research collaboration and policy engagement on migration between Ghana and international partners, including Russia. He noted that evolving global mobility trends require cooperation that prioritises safety while facilitating lawful movement.
He underscored Russia’s interest in engaging with Ghanaian institutions on migration research, skills mobility and labour dynamics, describing Ghana as a strategic partner in West Africa with growing influence in continental migration conversations. According to him, evidence-based policy and academic exchange remain critical to shaping effective migration systems that serve both sending and receiving countries.
The event, held under the theme “The Realities of Free Movement in Africa: Governance Norms and Social Transformation,” underscored Ghana’s growing role as a hub for migration research and dialogue. It also signalled renewed international interest, including from Russia, in partnering with Ghana to shape migration frameworks that respond to contemporary mobility challenges while advancing development and cooperation.
Ambassador Sergei Berdnikov noted that migration is rooted in human history and shaped by the natural movement of people across societies, giving it multiple social, economic and political dimensions. He observed that Ghana’s migration landscape is particularly complex, encompassing internal movement, labour migration, regional mobility within Africa and broader international flows, and praised the country for developing specialised expertise to study and manage these dynamics.
Reflecting on Russia’s own experience, the ambassador said migration issues there are largely handled within state security structures, without a dedicated research centre comparable to Ghana’s Centre for Migration Studies. He welcomed the growing collaboration between Ghanaian institutions and international partners, stressing that in an increasingly interconnected global system, knowledge-sharing and research-driven engagement are essential to strengthening international relations and managing migration effectively.
The anniversary event brought together senior government officials, diplomats, academics and policymakers, reflecting the growing prominence of migration as a governance issue in Ghana and across Africa. Discussions focused on how migration intersects with labour markets, social transformation and regional integration under Africa’s free movement aspirations.
In a keynote address, Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, called for a balanced and humane approach to migration management, urging policymakers to move beyond securitised narratives and recognise migrants as individuals shaped by social, economic and political forces. He stressed that sustainable migration governance must protect national security while safeguarding human dignity.
The Director of the Centre for Migration Studies, Professor Mary Biatekmaa Setrana, highlighted the Centre’s contribution over the past two decades to migration research and policy engagement. She outlined efforts to expand postgraduate training, strengthen research output and position CMS as a bridge between academia and policy, reaffirming its commitment to supporting evidence-based decision-making at national, regional and continental levels.
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