According to Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, 62 Ghanaian nationals have died and 15 are still missing after visiting Russia during the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
After bilateral discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Mr. Ablakwa made the revelation at a press conference in Moscow.
In a follow-up post on X, Mr. Ablakwa said, “Sadly, the number of Ghanaian fatalities in Russia has increased. Fifteen Ghanaians are still unaccounted for, and 62 have died there.”
According to the Minister, a critical topic brought up during his conversations with Mr. Lavrov was the need to put an end to the purported illegal recruitment of Ghanaian citizens who are enticed to Russia and then enrolled in military operations.
He stated that Ghana was particularly worried about the hiring of young individuals who are promised employment opportunities but eventually end up fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war.
“Following our bilateral engagement, I revealed at our press conference in Moscow with Foreign Minister Lavrov that a crucial topic for Ghana was how to stop the illegal recruitment of Ghanaian youth who are enticed and end up fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war,” Mr. Ablakwa stated.
According to the Minister, the Russian government has promised to cooperate with Ghana to prevent the illegal enlistment of Ghanaian nationals into military operations.
He declared, “I applaud the promise of the Russian Government to cooperate with the Government of Ghana to end the unlawful recruitment of our youngsters.”
According to Mr. Ablakwa, the Ghanaian government will keep speaking with Russian authorities and advocating for actions to prevent Ghanaian citizens from being conscripted into the fight.
“The Government of Ghana will continue to lead advocacy on this subject and guarantee that our youngsters are safeguarded from danger. This is not our fight, and it should not be killing Ghanaians,” he further said.
The information was released after concerns were raised over claims that Ghanaians were being lured to Russia under the guise of work before being sent to fight in the war against Ukraine.
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