Ghana and Russia have signed a Visa Waiver Agreement for holders of diplomatic and service passports, marking a significant development in relations between the two countries.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa signed the agreement during a three-day official visit to Russia at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Ablakwa announced the development in a Facebook post on August 17, 2026, describing the agreement as historic.

“This is the first Visa Waiver Agreement since our two nations established formal bilateral relations in 1958,” he said.

Russia plans visa-free regime with African countries

According to Ablakwa, Ghana and Russia will continue negotiations to secure enhanced visa privileges for other categories of travellers as both countries seek to deepen trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.

During bilateral discussions with Russian officials, Ablakwa also conveyed Ghana’s appreciation to Russia for supporting and voting for a Ghana-led landmark United Nations resolution declaring transatlantic enslavement and racialised chattel as the gravest crime against humanity.

He said the official visit would also focus on identifying broader areas of strategic cooperation between Ghana and Russia.

The engagement forms part of efforts by the two countries to strengthen their longstanding diplomatic relations and explore new areas of mutual interest.

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