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The Ghana Air Force is in discussion with its Russian counterpart for the establishment of a helicopter servicing centre in Ghana, President John Dramani Mahama has announced. When operational, Ghana will become the centre for servicing helicopters in West Africa. The President made this known when the outgoing Russian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Vladimir Barbin, called on him at the Flagstaff House on Friday to say goodbye after more than four years official duty in Ghana. President Mahama said the defence co-operation between the two countries had in recent times seen Russia supporting Ghana to acquire four new MI 17 helicopters, which were assisting in peacekeeping operations in C�te d'Ivoire, and medical activities in Ghana. Bilateral President Mahama noted with delight that Russia was one of the first countries that established bilateral relations with Ghana after independence in 1957 and since then, the bond of relations has been very cordial. He was appreciative to Mr Barbin for adding significantly to the strengthening of relations between the two countries. Mr Mahama mentioned education as one area where Ghana had received a lot of support from Russia, especially in the training of its human resource. In the 2013/2014 academic year for instance, 60 Ghanaian youth were admitted to various institutions in Russia to receive education in critical areas such as medicine, agriculture and engineering. Mr Mahama said the government would seriously pursue other bilateral cooperations. Investments President Mahama stated that it was encouraging to see Russian companies turn to Ghana to do business. He, however, said he would want to see a significant jump in that respect saying, "we are willing to share in the experience of the Russian private sector." For his part, Mr Barbin thanked the President, government and the people of Ghana for the support they gave him during his stay. He pledged to sell Ghana wherever he found himself.