Ukrainian intelligence has reported that 272 Ghanaians have been involved in the Russia-Ukraine war since 2022, with the figure rising steadily. Of this number, 55 have died in combat and 2 are currently prisoners of war.
The disclosure was made to Ghana’s delegation led by Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who traveled to Ukraine to negotiate the release of the captured individuals.
The Minister expressed shock at the statistics and pledged stronger government action against trafficking networks that lure young Ghanaians into the conflict. The two prisoners have vowed to campaign against youth recruitment into the war, warning others not to be enticed by Russian recruiters.
As of February 2026, 1,780 Africans from 36 countries have been drawn into the war, with hundreds killed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signaled his intention to release the two Ghanaians on humanitarian grounds.
The mission also reinforced Ghana-Ukraine relations, established in 1993, with bilateral talks covering agriculture, defense and intelligence cooperation, education, and technology partnerships.
Source: 3news
