President John Dramani Mahama says Ghana has created a favourable transport system for investment, describing transport as a critical catalyst for development.
The President said this on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, while speaking after being conferred with an honorary doctorate by the Russian University of Transport (RUT) in Moscow.
President Mahama becomes the first sitting Head of State to receive an honorary doctorate from the 130-year-old institution, which is Russia’s premier transport university.
“Transport systems are an important catalyst to development. And throughout history, the pace of progress of nations has been advanced by the great railways, the great highways, the shipping facilities, and aviation. In Ghana, we recognize this fact,” President Mahama said.
He outlined investments being made under his administration’s Big Push programme to modernise Ghana’s transportation network:
“We have been investing our resources in modernizing our transportation networks. We’ve built new ports in Tema and have invested in expanding all our other existing port facilities. Under our Big Push program, we are reconstructing all our major road networks across the country. The airports are also being expanded, and three new regional airports are being built. New freight trains and extension of our railway network are also ongoing.”
The President added that government is working to revamp the national airline: “And even as I speak, we are working on revamping our cherished national airline, which is the defunct Ghana Airways. And as I said, it’s my hope that before I leave office, we will have Ghana Airways back in the air.”
Background
The conferment ceremony was held at the university’s grand auditorium and was attended by members of the academic senate, Ghanaian officials, students and members of the diplomatic corps. In its citation, the university praised President Mahama for his visionary leadership and commitment to infrastructure and education.
The honour at RUT is one of two academic recognitions for the President in Moscow. Earlier on the same day, he also received an honorary doctorate from the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN), nearly 40 years after studying there as a postgraduate student. The university named a new Patrice Lumumba scholarship for seven students annually in honour of Ghana-Russia cooperation.
President Mahama is in Moscow to participate in the 3rd Russia-Africa Summit, hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 28 and 29, which brings together more than 30 African Heads of State. The summit features an Economic and Humanitarian Forum where trade, energy and infrastructure cooperation are being discussed.
During an open dialogue session with students before the conferment, President Mahama also disclosed that Ghana is exploring nuclear energy to power its industrialization agenda, noting that processing minerals locally will require far more electricity than current generation can supply.
“My dream is to translate the macroeconomic success into jobs and opportunities for the young people. How we set the stage for the country to industrialise. That’s my dream,” he told students when asked about his vision.
The President is expected to hold bilateral talks with President Putin and engage Russian businesses and state institutions on the sidelines of the summit.
