President John Dramani Mahama on Sunday, June 7, laid a wreath at the Brest Hero Fortress Memorial Complex in Belarus, honouring soldiers and civilians who resisted the Nazi invasion of 1941.
The memorial, located in the city of Brest near the Polish border, is one of Belarus’ most important Second World War sites. It was among the first targets of Nazi Germany during the invasion of the former Soviet Union on June 22, 1941.
President Mahama was accompanied by Ghana’s Ambassador to Moscow, Dr Steem Jehu-Appiah, Special Aide and Advisor Joyce Bawah Mogtari, officials from the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and members of Ghana’s diplomatic mission in Moscow.
During a guided tour of the site, Brest Governor Piotr Alexandrovich Parkhomchik described the fortress as a national symbol and one of the country’s most visited heritage sites, noting that it recorded more than 120,000 visitors in 2025.
Reflecting on the visit, President Mahama, who is a trained historian, described it as a privilege to witness the resilience and bravery of the Belarusian people.
He noted that the defence of Brest has become a defining symbol of Belarus’ national identity and development.
The President recalled how Soviet troops and allied forces held out for weeks under severe shortages of ammunition, food and water before the area was eventually liberated.
The fortress today preserves war-damaged structures, including barracks, gates and a church, as well as weapons, letters and personal belongings of the defenders, serving as a lasting reminder of wartime sacrifice.
Following the tour, President Mahama attended a luncheon in his honour, where he described the reception as a sign of growing ties between Ghana and Belarus.
He said the heroism of the people of Brest is well documented in history, adding that the city today represents not only remembrance but also progress in production, industrialisation and culture.
He expressed hope that the visit would deepen cooperation between Ghana and Belarus, particularly in agriculture, mining and manufacturing, and encouraged Belarusian investors to explore opportunities in Ghana.
President Mahama is in Belarus as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and expand economic cooperation between the two countries.