Embassy of Russia Supports Russian Language Education at UG with Major Textbook Donation

The Department of European Languages has received a significant donation of 300 Russian-language textbooks from the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Ghana, a gesture expected to transform the teaching and learning of Russian at the University.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Russian Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Sergei Berdnikov, explained that the donation represents the first batch of books, with more expected later this year. He emphasised Russia’s commitment to supporting Ghanaian students, noting that government-sponsored scholarships for Ghanaians in Russia have increased from 75 to 125 annually, covering fields such as Engineering, Medicine and Artificial Intelligence. 

H.E. Berdnikov added that discussions were ongoing to provide Russian lecturers with support for academic exchanges and collaborative teaching initiatives, and to expand cultural programmes, including the establishment of a Russian Cultural House in Ghana.

Professor Joseph Awetori Yaro, Provost of the College of Humanities, expressed gratitude for what he described as a “great honour for both the College and the Department”. Drawing on his own experience as a student, he recalled the scarcity of Russian books in the 1990s and praised the donation as a milestone in Ghana-Russia educational cooperation.

Professor Josephine Dzahene-Quarshie, Dean of the School of Languages, highlighted the challenges lecturers and students previously faced due to outdated materials. She stated that the gesture would provide modern teaching resources, enhance cultural literacy, and eliminate financial barriers by making textbooks more accessible to all students.

The donation marks a renewed effort to strengthen academic and cultural ties between Ghana and Russia while equipping students with the tools to fully engage with the Russian language and culture.