Prosper Okoye
Dozens of Ghanaians have been killed while fighting in the war in Ukraine, with two others currently held as prisoners of war, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has said.
Speaking during a visit to Kyiv, Ablakwa said around 272 Ghanaians were believed to have been drawn into the conflict since 2022, citing Ukrainian authorities. He described the figures as “depressing and frightening”, adding that Ghana “cannot turn a blind eye to these heartbreaking statistics”.
He did not specify which side the Ghanaians had fought on, but Andriy Sybiga said this week that more than 1,700 people from 36 African countries had been recruited to fight for Russia.
The 55 deaths represent the highest officially confirmed toll for any African country in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Media reports in Cameroon have put that country’s toll at 94, though authorities have not confirmed the figures. Two South Africans and at least one Kenyan have also been reported killed.
Ablakwa said the casualties “are not just numbers”, but reflect “human lives” and the hopes of Ghanaian families. He said the government was working to dismantle illegal recruitment networks and step up public awareness campaigns.
“This is not our war and we cannot allow our youth to become human shields for others,” he said.
In Kenya, a man was charged on Thursday with allegedly luring young men to Russia with promises of jobs, only for them to end up fighting in Ukraine. He denied the charges. A report by Kenya’s National Intelligence Service said about 1,000 Kenyans had been recruited to fight for Russia.
Russia’s embassy in Nairobi has denied involvement in recruitment, but said foreign nationals legally in the country could voluntarily enlist in its armed forces.
During his visit, Ablakwa also urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to release two Ghanaian prisoners of war captured while fighting for Russia, describing them as victims of “manipulation” and trafficking networks. He said they were in good health and had not suffered mistreatment.
Sybiga said the issue of returning the detainees to Ghana had been discussed “frankly”.
South Africa said Thursday that two of its citizens had been killed in Ukraine, while 15 others had been repatriated in the past week. Two more remain in Russia receiving treatment for severe injuries, Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola said.
Ukrainian officials have warned that foreign nationals fighting for Russia would be treated as enemy combatants, adding that surrender remained the safest option. Ukraine has also faced criticism in the past over attempts to recruit foreign fighters, including from Africa.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
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