Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has appealed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to grant the release of two Ghanaian nationals captured while fighting for Russia in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Speaking during a rare visit to Kyiv on Wednesday, Ablakwa expressed optimism that humanitarian considerations would guide Ukraine’s decision.
“We are quite optimistic that this visit will be very successful and that in my later discussions with President Zelensky, he will be magnanimous and compassionate and on humanitarian grounds release these two Ghanaians to us,” he said at a joint press conference with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister.
Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine has drawn foreign fighters and mercenaries from multiple countries, including several in 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 prisoner by Ukrainian forces.
Ablakwa described the detained Ghanaians as victims of deception.
“They are victims of manipulation, of disinformation, misinformation and criminal trafficking networks,” he said, adding that Ghana had received assurances the detainees were in good health and had not been subjected to torture or inhumane treatment.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andriy Sybiga, confirmed that both sides held frank discussions on facilitating the return of the prisoners to Ghana.
Sybiga also called on Accra to intensify efforts to prevent African nationals from being recruited by Russia, stating: “The Russians are dragging Ghanaians to their deaths, while Ukraine offers cooperation for the sake of life.”
The diplomatic engagement highlights the broader international dimension of the conflict, which has seen foreign fighters join both sides since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
