Ghana has initiated high-level diplomatic negotiations with the Government of Ukraine to secure the release of a Ghanaian national currently being held as a prisoner of war, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed.
In a post on Facebook, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the Ukrainian authorities formally notified Ghana of the arrest of the individual and provided identifying details, which have since been verified by Ghanaian officials. The name of the detainee, according to Ablakwa has been withheld for security and diplomatic reasons.
According to evidence made available to the Government of Ghana, the individual arrived in Moscow, Russia, on July 7, 2024, where records indicate that he signed a contract to enlist with the 2nd Assault Company of the 71st Motorized Rifle Regiment under the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division.
He is reported to have subsequently taken part in hostilities in the Zaporizhzhia direction before being captured by Ukrainian forces.
The Minister disclosed that he held a meeting with the Acting Ambassador of Ukraine to Ghana, Ivan Lukachuk, during which a formal appeal was made for the Ghanaian’s release and repatriation. A special diplomatic communication has also been transmitted to Kyiv to reinforce Ghana’s position.
As part of ongoing efforts, the Minister announced plans to travel to Ukraine in the coming weeks to personally advance negotiations aimed at securing the detainee’s freedom. Ghana has further objected to the possibility of its national being included in any prisoner-of-war exchange between Ukraine and Russia, citing concerns that such an arrangement could heighten the individual’s vulnerability.
The Minister expressed optimism that sustained diplomatic engagement, anchored on Ghana’s cordial bilateral relations with Ukraine and the country’s longstanding advocacy for peace and the cessation of hostilities, would yield positive results.
Beyond the immediate diplomatic efforts, the Minister used the opportunity to caution Ghanaian youth against the activities of criminal recruitment and human trafficking networks that operate covertly, often through online platforms and the dark web.
He warned that involvement in foreign conflicts poses grave risks, including death or capture.
Reaffirming government commitment, Ablakwa emphasized that the Mahama administration remains resolute in prioritizing the welfare and safety of all Ghanaians, both at home and abroad
By Richmond Fordjour Ampofo
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