Gov’t says 272 Ghanaians recruited into Russia-Ukraine war since 2022, 55 reported dead

About *272 Ghanaians* are believed to have been recruited to fight in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war since 2022, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, *Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa*, has disclosed.

According to him, many of the youth were deceived through fake job offers abroad and later deployed to the conflict zone.

Speaking to journalists on *Monday, July 27, 2026* after the evacuation of 150 Ghanaians from South Africa, Mr. Ablakwa said information gathered during his visit to Kyiv shows that a number of Ghanaians have been affected by the war.

“The Government of Ghana is seriously worried about the reports of Ghanaian youth who are lured through deceptive employment schemes and subsequently deployed to participate in the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.

Information received during my visit to Kyiv indicates that approximately about 272 Ghanaians are believed to have been recruited into the conflict since 2022. An estimated 55 are reported dead.”

The Minister added that *two Ghanaians are currently being held as prisoners of war*. He said government is in talks with relevant authorities to secure their release.

“Two are held as prisoners of war, whom we continue to negotiate their release, and the talks are proving positive. We are optimistic about the outcome.”

Mr. Ablakwa said government remains concerned about the recruitment schemes targeting Ghanaian youth and will continue to engage diplomatic channels to protect citizens abroad.