Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Andrii Sybiha at Kyiv’s Wall of Remembrance
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed that at least 55 Ghanaians have lost their lives fighting in the war in Ukraine, with two others currently held as prisoners of war.
The update was shared on Ablakwa’s X page on Thursday, February 26, 2026, following high-level talks in Kyiv between Ghanaian officials and Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha.
According to Ablakwa, Ukrainian intelligence revealed that 272 Ghanaians have been lured into the conflict since 2022 through transnational criminal trafficking networks.
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“During our engagements and media briefing, Ukrainian authorities revealed that from their credible intelligence gathering, they have documented 1,780 Africans from 36 countries who have been lured by criminal trafficking networks to join the war against Ukraine,” the post stated.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to stop the growing exploitation of its youth in foreign conflicts.
“That is why government is determined to raise awareness and embark on intensive public education so that our youth will be protected. The Mahama Administration is committed to tracking and dismantling all dark web illegal recruitment schemes operating within our jurisdiction. This is not our war, and we cannot allow our youth to become human shields for others,” he wrote.
During the visit, Ghanaian officials laid flowers at Kyiv’s Wall of Remembrance in honour of war victims and held discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation.
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“It was an honour joining him to lay flowers at the Wall of Remembrance and holding very substantive discussions covering a wide range of interests,” he said.
The conflict began in February 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, escalating tensions that had been simmering since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
The war has led to deaths, massive displacement, and global economic disruption.
Ukraine, supported by Western countries, has been defending its sovereignty, while Russia continues to exert military pressure in key regions.
The conflict has also drawn foreign fighters, some of whom have been recruited through illicit networks, including individuals from African countries.
See the post below:
I express my profound appreciation to His Excellency @andrii_sybiha the distinguished Foreign Minister of Ukraine for the warm hospitality and tremendous progress we have made in our bilateral relations since my arrival in Kyiv.
It was an honour joining him to lay flowers at… pic.twitter.com/lIlAQiJFgZ
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) February 26, 2026
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Source:
www.ghanaweb.com