Ghana Interested in Joint Medical Cannabis Production with Russia

The Republic of Ghana is interested in collaborating with Russian entrepreneurs in various sectors, including the cultivation and production of medical cannabis, according to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a senior member of Ghana’s Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, as reported by RIA Novosti.

“One of our goals is to increase Russia’s presence in Ghana’s markets. We want to develop trade on the basis of equal partnership,” Ablakwa said during a meeting with Sergey Katyrin, President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Key Areas for Cooperation

Ablakwa identified the development of mineral deposits, extraction of hydrocarbons, and gold mining as priority areas for cooperation with Russia.

“There is another important sector for collaboration. Last week, our parliament passed a law legalizing the cultivation and production of medical cannabis, specifically for pharmaceutical use. We see great potential in this market, and Russia could become a significant player,” the Ghanaian representative added.

Katyrin responded, “I am not a big expert in cannabis, but I hope our pharmaceutical specialists can use this information. We will make sure they are informed.”

Cannabis Cultivation in Russia

Russia has its own facilities for cultivating hemp, focusing on technical, non-narcotic varieties. According to the Agro-Industrial Hemp Growers Association, hemp crops in Russia currently cover about 13,000 hectares. The largest area is managed by the agro-industrial holding “Konoplex,” which produces food products, fiber, animal feed, and conducts research related to breeding and seed production.