Russia and Ghana have discussed bilateral relations, trade and investment, as well as the recruitment of foreign citizens to fight in the Ukraine war.
The issues were raised on Monday during a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in Moscow.
The talks also focused on developments in Africa, including ongoing conflicts and crises across the continent.
Ablakwa said Ghana’s trade with Russia was growing, with the relationship expanding beyond traditional exports.
The two ministers later addressed journalists at a joint news conference.
Lavrov said Russia’s Defence Ministry was handling requests from Ghana concerning Ghanaian nationals or other foreign citizens reported missing after allegedly travelling to Russia to fight in the war in Ukraine.
According to him, similar requests had been received from several other countries and were being reviewed by a special department within the Russian Defence Ministry.
The Russian foreign minister also commented on tensions between Moscow and Tokyo over the disputed Kuril Islands.
Lavrov accused Japan of having “crossed the bounds of decency” by objecting to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Russian-controlled archipelago.
Japan claims the four southernmost islands, which it refers to as the Northern Territories.
The Soviet Union seized the islands from Japan in the final days of World War II. The territorial dispute has prevented Russia and Japan from formally concluding a peace treaty since the war.
