Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on a visit to Ukraine on Wednesday, urged President Volodymyr Zelensky to release two Ghanaian prisoners of war captured fighting for Russia.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has drawn in mercenaries and foreign fighters on both sides of the conflict, including from several African countries.
Ukraine said on Wednesday that more than 1,780 citizens from 36 African countries, including Ghana, had been identified among Russia’s ranks, and that some of them had been captured.
“We are quite optimistic that this visit will be very successful and that in my later discussions with President Zelensky, he will be magnanimous and compassionate and on humanitarian grounds release these two Ghanaians to us,” the Ghanaian minister said at a press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart.
“They are victims of manipulation, of disinformation, misinformation, of criminal trafficking networks,” he said of Ghanaian citizens lured to fight for Russia.
He thanked Ukraine for ensuring international law was respected in the handling of the detainees.
“We have received reports that they are in good health,” he said. “They have not been tortured. They have not suffered any inhumane treatment since they were captured.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said both sides discussed “frankly” returning the prisoners to Ghana.
He also urged Accra to step up measures to prevent African citizens being recruited by Russia. “The Russians are dragging Ghanaians to their deaths, while Ukraine offers cooperation for the sake of life."
Russian embassy in Nairobi denies recruiting Kenyans to fight in Ukraine
Meanwhile, Ghana supported a United Nations resolution stating its commitment to "the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders".
It passed by a tally of 107 countries in favour, 12 against and 51 abstentions, which included the United States.
Russia voted against, as did Iran, North Korea, Belarus and the African countries Burkina Faso, Burundi, Eritrea, Mali, Niger and Sudan.
The resolution also called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and "comprehensive, just and lasting peace".
(with newswires)
