Emmanuel Bedzrah says his country is seeking to rebuild ties with Moscow after relations cooled over the past eight years

Africa is poised to become a key force in global progress, a member of Ghana's parliament has stated, welcoming the continent's growing ties with Russia as a pathway to sustainable development.

Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, who also chairs the West African country's parliamentary Energy Committee, made the remarks in a speech at the opening of the Russia-Africa Humanitarian Cooperation Exhibition at the State Duma in Moscow. The event, held in commemoration of Africa Day - which marks the founding of the Organization of African Unity on May 25 - highlighted the outcomes of cooperation between Russia and the continent's countries across various sectors.

"I am sincerely convinced that Africa will make a significant contribution to the future development of humanity in this century, and its people will be glad to walk the path of sustainable development side by side with the multinational people of Russia," the MP said.

He is part of an eight-member delegation from Ghana's National Assembly that arrived in Moscow on May 18 to take part in Russia-Africa Humanitarian Day celebrations last Thursday. During the week-long visit, the team has held discussions with their counterparts in the State Duma on a range of bilateral issues.

Bedzrah recalled the role the Soviet Union played in supporting Africa's liberation movements, beginning with Ghana's independence from British rule in 1957. He also hailed Russia's present-day contributions to the continent in areas such as education, science, agriculture, and technology.

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"For many years, the continent of Africa had suffered under Western colonization with damning consequences. We remember the assistance provided during this period of colonial suppression," Bedzrah said.

Several African countries, including Ghana's neighbors Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, have moved to deepen bilateral relations with Russia in recent years, with agreements spanning health, energy, security, and higher education.

In March, Moscow announced plans to open a culture and education center in Ghana, the first English-speaking African country to join its Russian House network. Ghana's president, John Dramani Mahama, who assumed office in January, obtained his postgraduate degree in social psychology from the Institute of Social Sciences in Moscow in 1988.

Sharing his views on Russia-Ghana relations, Bedzrah told RT that over the past eight years, they have "not been cordial," but the Mahama-led government is working to "change the narrative."

"We are here by the invitation of the State Duma to exchange ideas and deepen cooperation between the two parliaments. We also decided to have a friendship association between the two institutions," the MP stated.