The Government of Ghana has commenced diplomatic negotiations with the Government of Ukraine to secure the release of a Ghanaian national currently being held as a prisoner of war, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has confirmed.
In a public statement, the Minister disclosed that Ukrainian authorities had officially informed Ghana of the arrest of the individual and subsequently shared his identity, which has since been verified by Ghanaian officials. Preliminary information indicates that the Ghanaian travelled to Moscow on July 7, 2024, where he allegedly signed a contract to enlist with Russia’s 2nd Assault Company of the 71st Motorized Rifle Regiment, under the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division. He is reported to have later taken part in military operations in the Zaporizhzhia region, where he was captured by Ukrainian forces.
As part of Ghana’s efforts to resolve the matter, Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa held discussions with the Acting Ambassador of Ukraine to Ghana, Ivan Lukachuk. During the meeting, the Minister formally appealed for the release of the detained Ghanaian. He further revealed that a special diplomatic message has been sent to Kyiv, while preparations are underway for him to travel to Ukraine in the coming weeks to continue high-level engagements aimed at securing the individual’s freedom.
Ghana has strongly objected to any attempt to include its citizen in a prisoner-of-war exchange between Ukraine and Russia, cautioning that such an arrangement could further jeopardize his safety. Instead, the government says it is pursuing his release strictly through diplomatic channels, drawing on Ghana’s cordial bilateral relations with Ukraine and its consistent advocacy for peace and dialogue in international conflicts.
The Foreign Affairs Minister also used the occasion to caution Ghanaian youth against falling prey to criminal recruitment and human trafficking networks, which he noted often operate online and through covert means to lure unsuspecting individuals into foreign conflicts under false promises.
Reaffirming government’s commitment to the protection of Ghanaians abroad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed optimism that sustained diplomatic engagement will lead to the safe release and return of the detained national.
