By Hannah Dadzie
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, says the government is investigating reports of 14 Ghanaians allegedly caught on the front lines of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Speaking at a media briefing in Accra ahead of the launch of ECOWAS’ 50th Anniversary, the Minister said Ghana’s mission in Moscow has struggled to locate the individuals, despite a viral video suggesting their presence in the conflict zone.
“Our mission in Moscow has been tasked to follow up on this video. I must say it’s been extremely difficult for our colleagues in Moscow to identify or locate these individuals,” Mr. Ablakwa stated.
He revealed that the Russian Ambassador to Ghana has denied any knowledge of the situation, adding that preliminary findings suggest some Ghanaians may have been misled by private recruitment agencies with promises of jobs in Russia or Ukraine.
“From our preliminary investigations, it appears that some private recruitment agencies may have promised unsuspecting young people jobs in Russia or Ukraine. Unbeknownst to them, they are being sent to war zones, possibly as mercenaries or vigilantes,” the Minister revealed.
Mr. Ablakwa has therefore urged the public to assist with credible information to help trace and rescue the individuals. He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring the safety of Ghanaians abroad.
“We appeal to the Ghanaian public — if you know anyone, a son, a relative, or a friend who you believe has been lured to the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine war, please reach out to the Ministry with their details. So far, no one has come forward with specific information beyond that viral video, which disappeared shortly after it was posted,” he urged.
On the deportation of Ghanaians from the United States, Mr. Ablakwa said the Ministry is working diligently to reintegrate and reunite Ghanaians facing deportation.
“We decided on humanitarian and human rights grounds not to publicise the deportation. So when they arrive, our team welcomes them, we help them with integration and reuniting with their families. We are working with other partners — NADMO, the Ministry, the International Organisation for Migration — and we are doing all of that quietly because it’s important to respect the dignity of our fellow compatriots and not to subject them to media coverage that might injure their reputation,” Mr. Ablakwa indicated.
He noted, however, that there has been no change in their status since the last update from Ghana’s mission in Washington.
“Deportation from the US: the brief from our foreign service officials in Washington has not changed; we are still looking at roughly about 160 Ghanaians on the deportation list. That number has not increased, and the deportations are still ongoing,” the Minister added.
Mr. Ablakwa gave the assurance that efforts are ongoing to ensure the safe return of the 160 Ghanaian citizens currently on the US deportation list.
