Dozens of Ghanaian nationals have been killed after being drawn into the war in Ukraine, prompting a rare diplomatic intervention by Ghana’s foreign minister amid wider concern over recruitment networks targeting young Africans.
Ghana’s foreign affairs minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said at least 55 Ghanaians had died fighting in the conflict since 2022. Speaking after a visit to Kyiv, he said Ukrainian authorities had indicated that approximately 272 Ghanaian citizens had been recruited into the war, with two currently being held as prisoners of war.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has increasingly drawn in foreign nationals, many allegedly recruited through informal or illicit channels. Ukrainian officials have reported that more than 1,780 Africans from 36 countries have joined Russian forces since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.
Ablakwa described the situation as “depressing and frightening”, citing evidence of recruitment networks that promise employment or training opportunities abroad but ultimately channel recruits into frontline combat roles. He said Ghana was stepping up investigations into such networks, including activity conducted through social media and encrypted platforms.
During his visit, the minister held talks with Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, urging the humane treatment and release of the two detained Ghanaians. He also sought assurances regarding the protection of African nationals within Ukrainian jurisdiction. Ghana maintains that its citizens involved in the conflict should not be classified as mercenaries but regarded as victims of deception and trafficking.
The disclosures have added pressure on African governments navigating complex diplomatic positions over the war. Several countries on the continent have sought to maintain neutral or non-aligned stances, even as reports surface of their nationals fighting on one or both sides.
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