At least 55 Ghanaians have been killed fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war, with two others held as prisoners of war, Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced. Approximately 272 Ghanaians are believed to have been recruited into the conflict since 2022, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Minister Ablakwa described the figures as "depressing and frightening," emphasizing that Ghana "cannot turn a blind eye to these heartbreaking statistics." He stated the government is committed to dismantling illegal recruitment schemes and launching awareness campaigns to protect Ghanaian youth from being drawn into the conflict, which he stressed "is not our war."
The 55 confirmed Ghanaian casualties represent the highest number of deaths from a single African country officially reported in the conflict. Ghana has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to release the two Ghanaian prisoners of war captured fighting for Russia, whom Minister Ablakwa described as "victims of manipulation."
Ukrainian officials confirmed discussions with Ghana regarding the prisoners' return, noting they are reportedly in good health and have not suffered mistreatment. The war has seen recruitment of foreign nationals, with reports indicating hundreds from various African nations fighting for Russia.