Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that Ghana has begun diplomatic engagements with Ukraine to secure the release of a Ghanaian national being held as a prisoner of war.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, January 3, the Minister disclosed that the Ukrainian government has formally notified Ghana of the arrest of the national and provided his identity, which Ghanaian authorities have since verified.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, evidence available to the Ministry indicates that the Ghanaian arrived in Moscow, Russia, on July 7, 2024, where records show he signed a contract to join the 2nd Assault Company of the 71st Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division. He later took part in hostilities in the Zaporizhzhia direction.
The Foreign Affairs Minister said he held a meeting with the Acting Ambassador of Ukraine to Ghana, Ivan Lukachuk, and formally appealed for the release of the Ghanaian national.
“Yesterday, I held a meeting with the Acting Ambassador of Ukraine to Ghana, Ivan Lukachuk and appealed for his release to Ghana. A special message has been sent to Kyiv,” he stated.
Mr. Ablakwa further revealed plans to travel to Ukraine in the coming weeks to sustain negotiations, while stressing that Ghana has raised objections to the possible inclusion of its citizen in any prisoner-of-war exchange between Ukraine and Russia.
“Ghana has objected to the potential of our national being added to a prisoners of war exchange between Ukraine and Russia considering that could make him even more vulnerable,” he said.
He expressed optimism that Ghana’s diplomatic efforts would yield results, citing the country’s cordial relations and longstanding advocacy for peace.
“We are hopeful that our intense diplomatic efforts would yield the expected results, particularly, leveraging our cordial relations, and Ghana’s strong advocacy for peace and a cessation of the conflict,” the Minister noted.
Mr. Ablakwa also cautioned Ghanaian youth against falling victim to criminal recruitment and human trafficking networks, which he said often operate clandestinely.
“May I use this opportunity to passionately appeal to the youth of Ghana to be alert to the modus operandi of these criminal recruitment and human trafficking networks operating clandestinely and often through the dark web. Please do not fall prey. It is extremely dangerous to get involved in any conflict, you can be killed or captured,” he warned.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Mahama administration to protecting Ghanaians at home and abroad.
