Ghana President John Mahama has joined other African heads of state and government in Moscow for the third Russia-Africa Forum, hosted by President Vladimir Putin.

Mr Mahama, according to a statement on Tuesday in Accra, arrived from Ethiopia for the high-level summit in Russia, where African leaders will hold bilateral talks with Mr Putin and receive academic honours.

“President John Dramani Mahama has arrived in the Russian capital, Moscow, to participate in the third Russia-Africa Forum, hosted by the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin.

“President Mahama arrived from Ethiopia to join other African heads of state and government for the high-level summit aimed at strengthening political, economic, and cultural cooperation between the Russian Federation and the African continent.

“During the summit, President Mahama is scheduled to attend the official plenary sessions and take part in the Economic and Humanitarian Forum alongside his fellow African leaders,” the statement said.

Mr Mahama and Mr Putin “are expected to discuss key areas of mutual interest, strategic partnerships, and ongoing global developments”.

The Ghanaian president will also engage the Russian private sector and grant an audience to a select group of prominent Russian businesses and state institutions to explore avenues for trade, investment, and bilateral cooperation.

He will also visit a special Kente exhibition organised by the Russia-Ghana Parliamentary Forum, with exhibitors from Ghana coordinated by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, to showcase Ghana’s rich cultural heritage and promote closer parliamentary and people-to-people ties between both nations.

The Russian University of Transport and the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia are also set to confer and present Mr Mahama with an honorary doctorate at separate ceremonies in Moscow, in recognition of his leadership and public service.