On a rare diplomatic mission to Kyiv on Wednesday, Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, appealed to Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the release of two Ghanaian prisoners of war captured while fighting for Russia.
Addressing a joint press conference alongside his Ukrainian counterpart, the minister expressed optimism that humanitarian considerations would guide a compassionate resolution.
Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine has drawn foreign fighters and mercenaries from multiple regions, including Africa. Ukrainian authorities disclosed that more than 1,780 individuals from 36 African countries — among them Ghana — had been identified within Russian ranks, with some taken into custody. Ablakwa described the detained Ghanaians as victims of manipulation, disinformation and criminal trafficking networks that lured them into the conflict.
The Ghanaian minister commended Ukraine for adhering to international law in its treatment of the detainees, noting reports that the two nationals were in good health and had not been subjected to torture or inhumane conditions. He underscored Accra’s commitment to securing their safe return through diplomatic engagement.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andriy Sybiga, confirmed that discussions on repatriation had been conducted frankly. He also called on Ghana to intensify efforts to prevent recruitment of its citizens into Russia’s military campaign, arguing that such enlistments expose them to grave risk while undermining broader humanitarian considerations.