Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has shared his optimism about securing the release of two Ghanaians being held in Ukraine as prisoners of war, following what he described as rare diplomatic access to a security facility in Kyiv where they are being detained.
He expressed appreciation to President Volodymyr Zelensky for his candour and respect for diplomatic courtesies, as well as to Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, who played a leading role in granting Ghana unfettered consular access to its nationals in the prisoners-of-war camp.
Ablakwa noted that the two Ghanaians are in good health and commended Ukraine for adhering to international humanitarian law in its treatment of prisoners of war.
He stressed that Ukraine’s conduct reflects its obligations under the 1949 Geneva Convention III relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, particularly Article 13, which states that: “Prisoners of war must at all times be humanely treated.” He also referenced Article 14, which provides that “Prisoners of war are entitled in all circumstances to respect for their persons and their honour.”
According to the Minister, his visit and direct interaction with the detainees reinforced Ghana’s confidence that Ukraine is upholding these provisions in both letter and spirit.
The Minister acknowledged that the request to visit the detainees, whose identities remain concealed for security and privacy reasons, was not one he made lightly. He described it as the first of its kind by an African Foreign Affairs Minister, underscoring the significance of the access granted.
He indicated that the rare access strengthens his confidence that Ghana’s appeal for their release will not prove futile. According to him, it affirms the cordial relations Ghana and Ukraine share, grounded in mutual respect for international law and shared democratic values.
Ghana has consistently supported Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including its vote in favour of the United Nations General Assembly resolution titled “Support for a Sustainable Peace in Ukraine.” That stance, he suggested, has reinforced trust and goodwill between the two nations.
“I appreciate that my request was quite unusual and the first of its kind from an African Foreign Minister, as I was informed — I am therefore immensely grateful that our request was not declined in affirmation of our cordial bilateral relations. This significant gesture gives me more confidence that our negotiations for their release will be successful.” he said
The Minister further revealed that the two Ghanaians have expressed deep regret over the circumstances that led them into the conflict and have pledged to campaign vigorously against trafficking networks that prey on vulnerable Africans.
He said they are determined to devote their lives to educating others about the deceptive recruitment tactics that lure individuals with false promises of employment, only for them to end up in active war zones.
“It is refreshing to hear our two compatriots say that they are determined to become advocates against the modus operandi of trafficking networks and willing to devote the rest of their lives educating vulnerable Africans on how to avoid such predicaments,” he added.
Ukrainian authorities have disclosed that more than 1,780 citizens from 36 African countries, including Ghana, have been identified among Russian forces since the war began. Some of these individuals were captured on the battlefield and are currently being held as prisoners of war.
Ghana and Ukraine have since discussed strengthening cooperation to dismantle trafficking and recruitment networks responsible for exploiting vulnerable individuals and to prevent further cases of such exploitation.
Throughout the engagement, Ghana reiterated its respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while Ukraine’s adherence to the Geneva Convention standards in its handling of prisoners of war has further solidified the constructive bilateral relationship between the two countries.
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