By Hannah Dadzie
Ghana is stepping up high-level diplomatic efforts to protect its citizens caught in the Russia-Ukraine war, with Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa revealing that negotiations are nearing completion for the release of two Ghanaians being held by Ukraine as prisoners of war.
The development casts Ghana’s recent engagement with Kyiv as more than a diplomatic visit, positioning it instead as a consular intervention aimed at bringing home citizens trapped in a foreign conflict.
Mr. Ablakwa said the two Ghanaians are among hundreds of Africans who have been drawn into the war through illegal trafficking networks that prey on unemployment and vulnerability across the continent.
“It is absolutely important that the international community recognizes what has happened to young people in Africa. A lot of young Africans have been lured into this conflict, a conflict which is not our conflict. We didn’t ask for this conflict.” he said
Speaking on RT, Mr Ablakwa said Ghana has evidence that about 272 of its citizens were lured into the war against their will, with 55 confirmed dead.
“In Ghana’s case, we have evidence that about 272 Ghanaians have been lured against their will. Fifty-five have died, very, very sadly. Tragic. This should never have happened,” he said.
But beyond the casualty figures, the minister said the government’s current priority is to secure the safe return of the two Ghanaians being held by the Ukrainians.
Mr. Ablakwa disclosed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is personally leading the negotiations, which he described as constructive and fruitful.
“I am glad that President Volodymyr Zelensky gave me audience and is leading the negotiations himself, and so far the talks have been very constructive and fruitful,” he said.
He added that President Zelensky has pledged to return the two Ghanaians, with both sides now finalising the formalities required for their release.
Mr Ablakwa explained that Ukraine is seeking firm assurances from Ghana that the two men, once released, would not travel back to Russia or return to the battlefield.
“The Ukrainians are demanding some assurances that these two prisoners of war would not be allowed to travel out of Ghana back to Russia. They also want to see what mechanisms the government of Ghana will put in place to make sure that when they are released they stay in Ghana, that they are monitored and that they do not get back into the battlefront lines.” he said
Mr. Ablakwa said Ghana has provided those guarantees and remains confident the two will be released soon. He said Ghana’s intervention sends a clear signal that the state will go to great lengths to protect its nationals abroad, no matter the circumstances.
“The Ghanaian government wants to send a very clear message that we value all our citizens. We will not leave any Ghanaian in harm’s way,” he said.
Mr. Ablakwa noted that his trip to Ukraine involved more than 10 hours of road travel across borders because the country’s airspace remains closed, describing it as a difficult but necessary journey in the interest of saving lives.
“It was a really, really punishing trip, but it is worth it. It’s about human lives. It’s about the protection of our citizens,” he said.
He stressed that the welfare, security and protection of Ghanaians remain the government’s utmost priority, and pledged continued consular support for citizens facing danger abroad.
