Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa: 55 Ghanaians Killed Fighting in Russia-Ukraine War

Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, says 55 Ghanaians have been killed while fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war since 2022. He disclosed that 272 Ghanaians were lured into the conflict, with two currently held as prisoners of war. Ukraine also reported that over 1,780 Africans from 36 countries have been identified among Russia’s ranks, prompting renewed warnings from African governments against joining the war.

Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed that at least 55 Ghanaian nationals have lost their lives while fighting in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Speaking after a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart in Kyiv, Ablakwa said Ghanaian authorities had been informed that a total of 272 citizens are believed to have been recruited or lured into participating in the conflict since 2022. According to him, the recruitment appears to have taken place under varying circumstances, with many reportedly enticed by promises of employment or financial rewards. Of that number, an estimated 55 have been confirmed dead, while two have been captured and are currently being held as prisoners of war.
The minister’s remarks underscore the growing concern among African governments over the involvement of their nationals in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began in 2022. What started as a regional war has increasingly drawn in foreign fighters and mercenaries from across the globe. Individuals from several African countries have reportedly joined both sides of the conflict, either through private military recruitment networks or informal channels promising lucrative compensation.
Earlier in the week, Ukrainian authorities stated that more than 1,780 citizens from 36 African countries — including Ghana — had been identified among those fighting in Russia’s ranks. Ukrainian officials added that some of these foreign fighters had been captured during military operations. The disclosure has further intensified scrutiny over how foreign nationals are being recruited and deployed in the war.
Across the African continent, governments have repeatedly cautioned their citizens against traveling to the conflict zone or enlisting in foreign military operations. Officials have warned of the severe risks involved, including death, injury, detention, and legal consequences. In some cases, African governments have had to intervene diplomatically after their nationals were reported killed or detained.
Countries such as Kenya and South Africa have formally requested that Russia facilitate the repatriation of the remains of their citizens who were killed in the fighting, as well as the return of those captured and held as prisoners of war. These requests reflect mounting pressure on governments to account for the safety and whereabouts of their nationals caught up in a war far from home.
The situation highlights the broader humanitarian and diplomatic implications of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, particularly for developing nations whose citizens may be vulnerable to recruitment efforts driven by economic hardship and limited opportunities at home.