Ghana Demands Answers as 62 Citizens Killed, 15 Missing in Russia-Ukraine War
Ghana has formally raised the alarm over the recruitment of its citizens into the Russia-Ukraine conflict, revealing that 62 Ghanaians have been killed and 15 others are currently missing. The issue was thrust into the diplomatic spotlight during a meeting between Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, in Moscow.
Minister Ablakwa, who is leading a three-day official delegation to Russia, called for an immediate end to what he described as the “illegal recruitment” of Ghanaian nationals. While he did not specify whether the citizens were recruited to fight for Russian forces or as mercenaries for other entities, the statement marked one of the firmest public positions taken by an African nation on the human cost of the war among its citizens.
In response, Russian officials maintained that any foreigners serving with their armed forces do so under voluntarily signed military contracts. Moscow has previously acknowledged the presence of international volunteers but has denied any state-sanctioned coercive recruitment campaigns targeting African nations.
Scholarships Doubled Amid Diplomatic Talks
Despite the tense discussions on casualties, the visit—which is still ongoing—also yielded positive bilateral outcomes. Russia announced it would double its annual scholarship quota for Ghanaian students, raising the number from 120 to 240. The new slots will prioritise strategic fields, including artificial intelligence, engineering, petroleum sciences, and pharmaceuticals—sectors Ghana is keen to develop.
Broader Cooperation on the Table
Beyond the immediate humanitarian and educational issues, the two countries are engaging in broader talks covering trade, investment, and technical cooperation. A key item on the agenda is Russia’s potential support for Ghana’s ambitious plans to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, a move that would diversify the West African nation’s energy mix and support its industrialisation goals.
The delegation’s visit continues, with further meetings expected to address consular protection for Ghanaians in Russia and neighbouring regions, as well as to solidify the newly expanded educational partnership.
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