At least 55 Ghanaians have died fighting in the war in Ukraine, while two others are currently held as prisoners of war, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has said. Speaking during an official visit to Kyiv, Ablakwa cited Ukrainian authorities as saying about 272 Ghanaians have been recruited into the conflict since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022. He described the figures as “depressing and frightening,” adding that Ghana “cannot turn a blind eye to these heartbreaking statistics.”
Although Ablakwa did not specify which side the Ghanaians fought for, Ukrainian officials say most Africans recruited have joined Russian forces. Ukraine’s foreign minister has previously stated that more than 1,700 Africans from 36 countries were recruited to fight for Russia. The 55 confirmed Ghanaian deaths represent the highest officially acknowledged toll from any single African country in the war. The minister said Accra is stepping up efforts to dismantle illegal recruitment networks, particularly those operating online, and will intensify public awareness campaigns to warn young people against false job offers linked to the conflict. “This is not our war, and we cannot allow our youth to become human shields for others,” he said.
During talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ablakwa appealed for the release of the two Ghanaian prisoners of war, arguing they were victims of deception and human trafficking networks. Ukrainian authorities confirmed the detainees are in good health and are being treated in line with international law. The issue has wider regional implications. Kenya’s intelligence service recently reported that about 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited to fight for Russia, while South Africa has confirmed the deaths of two of its citizens in Ukraine. Ukrainian officials continue to warn that anyone fighting for Russia will be treated as an enemy combatant, with surrender as the only safe exit.
