The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Ghana on Thursday hosted an evening reception in Accra to mark the country’s national day, known as Russia Day.

Russia Day is celebrated annually on June 12 to commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Russia in 1990.

The occasion marks Russia’s transition from a Soviet republic to an independent Russian Federation and is regarded as the country’s principal national holiday.

The Ambassador-designate of the Russian Federation to Ghana, Andrei Ordash, highlighted the strong and enduring ties between Ghana and Russia.

He recalled decades of cooperation in the areas of education, health, energy, trade, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

Reaffirming Russia’s commitment to expanding collaboration in areas of mutual interest, he quoted a Russian saying that a true friend is known in times of trouble, adding that in Africa in recent years, Ghana had proven the truth of the saying.

The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mrs Emelia Arthur, who represented President John Dramani Mahama, as well as the government and people of Ghana at the event, stated that Ghana’s foreign policy was guided by the principle of being a friend to all and an enemy to none.

She, therefore, underscored the importance of dialogue, cooperation and multilateral engagement in addressing global challenges.

The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, Members of Parliament (MPs), government officials, including the Municipal Chief Executive of the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly (KoKMA), Mr Alfred Allotey-Gaisie, as well as business executives, academics, students, the Ghana–Russia Business Association, Ghanaian alumni of Russian institutions and traditional rulers.

Guests were treated to Russian music, cultural performances and traditional Russian cuisine.