Ukrainian intelligence officials have disclosed that an astonishing 272 Ghanaians have participated in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict since 2022, with this figure rising over the past two years.
Among this group, 55 individuals have lost their lives in combat, and 2 have been taken as prisoners of war. This information was shared with the Ghanaian delegation, headed by Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who were on a mission to negotiate the release of the two captives.
The Minister expressed his astonishment at these figures, stating that the Ghanaian government would intensify its efforts to combat criminal trafficking networks that entice young Ghanaians into the ongoing war.
The two prisoners of war have committed to advocating against the recruitment of young people, particularly Ghanaians, by the Russians to participate in the conflict.
As of February 2026, a total of 1,780 Africans from 36 nations have been involved in the war, with several hundred having been killed in action.
President Volodimir Zelensky has indicated a willingness to release the two captured Ghanaians on humanitarian grounds, which was the primary objective of the Ghanaian mission to Ukraine.
Ghana’s determination to halt the flow of its citizens through criminal networks to fight in the war is viewed as a positive demonstration of support for efforts to bring an end to the four-year conflict.
Ghana and Ukraine have maintained bilateral relations since 1993, which were further reinforced by the visit of Ghana’s Foreign Minister to Ukraine.
The discussions between the two nations focused on agricultural collaboration, defense and intelligence cooperation, education, and technological partnerships.
source Martin Asiedu-Dartey, reporting from Kyiv, Ukraine
