Dr Patrick Ekye Kwesie, Leader of the Western Nzema Youth League (WNYL), a youth group, says Ghana must take advantage of the upcoming third Russia-Africa Summit to pursue opportunities to drive economic transformation and youth development.

In a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, he said Russia-Africa economic cooperation offered Ghana an unparalleled opportunity to attract investment, facilitate technology transfer, foster industrial development, bolster human capital and create sustainable employment opportunities for the Ghanaian youth.

He said: “As a youth leader, I contend that our advocacy must reach beyond the confines of our immediate communities, because the economic destiny of Western Nzema is inextricably linked to the broader economic trajectory of Ghana.

“Consequently, this serves as a clarion call for a comprehensive national strategy, one designed to ensure that young people from every corner of Ghana unequivocally benefit from these Russia-Africa economic opportunities.”

Dr Kwesie stated that while Ghana and Russia already possessed a solid bedrock for enhanced collaboration, the country must move beyond being merely an expanded market for foreign products to becoming a dynamic production and investment hub.

“We ought to actively incentivise Russian companies to establish robust manufacturing, assembly, processing, engineering and technology operations within Ghana, ensuring substantial participation from Ghanaian businesses and workers,” he noted.

He stated that Russia-Ghana bilateral cooperation could also help revitalise the country’s agricultural sector to serve as an engine for youth employment.

He said: “For the youth across Ghana, securing access to modern farming equipment, efficient irrigation systems, enhanced seeds, vital financing, advanced storage solutions, cutting-edge processing technology and dependable markets is a challenge, and the Russia-Ghana bilateral cooperation could significantly catalyse this transformation.”

The third Russia-Africa Summit is scheduled for October 28-29, 2026, in Moscow, Russia, and would be attended by African leaders to hold high-level political dialogue, advance trade and deepen economic ties between Russia and Africa.