Sixty-two Ghanaians have been killed and another 15 remain missing after travelling to Russia amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has disclosed.
Mr Ablakwa made the disclosure in Moscow following bilateral talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
In a subsequent post on X, the Minister said the number of reported Ghanaian deaths had increased to 62, while 15 others who travelled to Russia remained unaccounted for.
“Unfortunately, the number of Ghanaian deaths in Russia has gone up. 62 Ghanaians have now died, and 15 who travelled to Russia remain missing,” he said.
A key issue raised during the bilateral discussions was the alleged illegal recruitment of Ghanaian citizens who are lured to Russia with promises of employment before being enlisted to participate in military operations.
Mr Ablakwa said Ghana was particularly concerned about young people who travel to Russia expecting to secure jobs but subsequently find themselves involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“During our press conference in Moscow with Foreign Minister Lavrov after our bilateral engagement, I disclosed that an important matter to Ghana was how to stop the illegal recruitment of Ghanaian youth who are lured and end up fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war,” he said.
According to the Minister, the Russian government has pledged to work with Ghana to prevent the illegal enlistment of Ghanaian citizens into military operations.
“I welcome the pledge of the Russian Government to work with the Government of Ghana to stop the illegal enlistment of our youth,” he said.
Mr Ablakwa said the Ghanaian government would continue engaging Russian authorities and advocating measures to protect Ghanaians from being recruited into the conflict.
“The Government of Ghana will continue to lead advocacy on this matter and ensure that our youth are protected from harm’s way. This is not our war, and it should not be claiming Ghanaian lives,” he added.
The disclosure comes amid growing concerns over reports that Ghanaian nationals are being recruited to Russia under the guise of employment and subsequently deployed to fight in the war against Ukraine.
