Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed that 55 Ghanaian nationals have died while fighting in the ongoing war in Ukraine, calling the development “depressing and frightening.”
In a statement shared on X on Friday, February 27, Ablakwa said the government has been notified that 272 Ghanaians are believed to have been recruited into the conflict since 2022. Of that number, 55 deaths have been confirmed, while two individuals have been captured as prisoners of war.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to these heartbreaking statistics. These are not just numbers; they represent human lives, the hope of many Ghanaian families and our nation,” he wrote after holding talks with his Ukrainian counterpart in Kyiv.
Alleged Recruitment Schemes Under Scrutiny
The disclosures come amid rising concerns that African nationals are being targeted through deceptive recruitment channels. According to the minister, Ghana is committed to identifying and dismantling illegal recruitment operations, including those believed to be operating online.
Ukraine has reported that more than 1,780 citizens from 36 African countries have been identified among Russian forces since the war began. Investigations and testimonies from captured fighters suggest that some were promised civilian employment opportunities in Russia, only to later be compelled to sign military contracts and deployed to the frontlines with limited training.
Late in 2025, journalists from Agence France-Presse interviewed prisoners of war from Kenya, Togo, Cameroon, and Nigeria who made similar claims.
Wider African Impact
The issue has triggered legal and diplomatic responses in several African countries.
In Kenya, authorities have charged a suspect with human trafficking for allegedly facilitating the recruitment of more than 1,000 nationals to fight for Russia.
Meanwhile, Ronald Lamola, Foreign Minister of South Africa, recently confirmed that 15 South African men who were reportedly misled into joining mercenary groups have been repatriated. However, several others are said to remain in Russia, and at least two South Africans have died in the conflict.
Ongoing War and Diplomatic Concerns
The war, which began in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, continues to draw international attention not only for its geopolitical implications but also for the humanitarian toll on foreign nationals caught in recruitment networks.
Ghanaian authorities say efforts are underway to track affected citizens, support families, and prevent further exploitation. The latest figures have intensified calls for tighter monitoring of cross-border recruitment and stronger protections for vulnerable job seekers.
Source: Africa Publicity
