The Government of Ghana has initiated diplomatic negotiations with Ukraine to secure the release of a Ghanaian national currently held as a prisoner of war (POW) after being captured while fighting on the side of Russian forces.
In a statement posted on social media on Saturday, January 3, 2025, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, revealed that the Ukrainian authorities had notified Ghana of the arrest and provided the identity of the individual, which has since been verified.
According to evidence shared by Ukraine, the Ghanaian arrived in Moscow, Russia, on July 7, 2024, where records indicate he signed a contract to join the 2nd Assault Company of the 71st Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division. He subsequently took part in combat operations in the Zaporizhzhia direction.
Mr. Ablakwa disclosed that he personally met with the Acting Ambassador of Ukraine to Ghana, Ivan Lukachuk, on Friday to appeal for the citizen’s release. A special message has also been dispatched to Kyiv to further press the case.
The Minister added that he is scheduled to travel to Ukraine in the coming weeks to continue direct negotiations aimed at bringing the national home.
Ghana has strongly objected to any possibility of the citizen being included in a prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia, arguing that such a move could expose him to greater vulnerability.
“We are hopeful that our intense diplomatic efforts would yield the expected results, particularly leveraging our cordial relations, and Ghana’s strong advocacy for peace and a cessation of the conflict,” Mr. Ablakwa stated.
This incident comes amid ongoing reports of Ghanaian nationals being lured into the Russia-Ukraine conflict through deceptive recruitment schemes, often promising civilian jobs but leading to military contracts with Russian forces. Previous cases in 2024 and 2025 involved groups of young Ghanaians tricked into fighting, with some appealing for rescue from the frontlines.
In his statement, the Foreign Minister seized the opportunity to issue a strong warning to Ghanaian youth.
“May I use this opportunity to passionately appeal to the youth of Ghana to be alert to the modus operandi of these criminal recruitment and human trafficking networks operating clandestinely and often through the dark web. Please do not fall prey. It is extremely dangerous to get involved in any conflict, you can be killed or captured,” he wrote.
He emphasised that the Mahama administration remains committed to prioritising the welfare of all Ghanaians abroad, ensuring “no one is left in harm’s way.”
The Ministry has withheld the name of the captured individual to protect his privacy and safety during the ongoing negotiations.