During a recent visit to Ukraine, Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, met with two Ghanaian nationals who had been captured while fighting alongside Russian forces. The meeting took place in a fortified Ukrainian prisoner of war camp, where Ablakwa expressed gratitude to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba for facilitating the visit.
Ablakwa reported that the captured individuals are “alive and well,” and their rights are being respected. He expressed hope for their eventual release, noting that his request to see the prisoners was unique, marking the first such visit by an African foreign minister. He emphasized the importance of this gesture in strengthening bilateral relations between Ghana and Ukraine.
According to Ablakwa, the prisoners indicated a strong desire to combat human trafficking and were committed to educating vulnerable Africans on avoiding similar perilous situations in the future. This statement highlights the broader issue of recruitment of African citizens into the conflict.
The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War confirmed Ablakwa’s visit, stating that it included direct communication with the camp where the Ghanaian prisoners are held. The meeting focused on strategies to counteract the recruitment of Ghanaian and other African nationals by Russia for participation in the war against Ukraine.
As Ghana prepares to assume the presidency of the African Union next year, the issue of preventing the trafficking of “disposable soldiers” has gained heightened significance. The Coordination Headquarters emphasized that no circumstances should compel citizens of other nations to engage in combat against Ukraine, risking their health and lives. They also noted the importance of Ghana’s support for Ukraine’s efforts at the United Nations to end the conflict.
In a joint press conference with Ablakwa in Kyiv, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba revealed that over 1,780 citizens from 36 African countries are currently fighting for Russia. He accused Russia of deceitfully recruiting these individuals and stressed the need to expose such recruitment schemes.
Kuleba highlighted that many mercenaries from African nations have died in the conflict, while others have been captured by Ukrainian forces. This situation raises concerns about the safety and well-being of foreign nationals involved in the war.
Several foreign governments have reported that their citizens are being recruited by Russia through fraudulent job advertisements. In February 2024, reports surfaced about thousands of Nepalis being recruited, while up to 5,000 Cubans have also been enlisted under the pretext of lucrative job offers in Russia.
Recent intelligence reports from Kenya indicated that over a thousand Kenyans have been recruited for the war against Ukraine. The leader of the parliamentary majority, Kimani Ichung’wah, pointed out that unauthorized employment agencies and individuals continue to operate in the country, sending citizens to the Russian-Ukrainian front.
Additionally, there have been reports of Indian nationals being recruited into the Russian military, a topic that the Indian government has raised in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In 2024, Bloomberg reported that many foreign students arriving in Russia for education were being offered participation in the war, with threats of visa non-renewal if they refused to sign contracts with the defense ministry. Similar tactics have reportedly been used on African nationals holding work visas.
Ghana's Foreign Minister met with two Ghanaian prisoners of war in Ukraine, highlighting issues of recruitment and human trafficking. The visit underscores the complex dynamics of foreign involvement in the ongoing conflict.