During a rare visit to Kyiv, Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Ablakwa appealed directly to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the humanitarian release of two Ghanaian nationals captured while fighting for Russian forces. The appeal comes as Ukraine reports identifying over 1,780 citizens from 36 African countries, including Ghana, among Russian ranks.
Ablakwa described the captured men as victims of criminal trafficking networks and misinformation, not mercenaries. He expressed optimism that Zelenskyy would show compassion, noting Ukraine has assured him the detainees are healthy and have not been tortured. He thanked Ukraine for its humane treatment of the prisoners.
In response, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga called for Ghana to strengthen efforts to prevent its citizens from being recruited by Russia, stating, “The Russians are dragging Ghanaians to their deaths.”
During a late-night visit to the detainees, the two men—using the pseudonyms Kojo and Kofi—apologized for tarnishing Ghana’s peaceful image. They recounted being lured by financial promises from Russian agents, only to be forced onto the front lines. Both pleaded for forgiveness from their families and both nations, vowing to warn other young Africans against the dangers of the conflict if granted clemency.
