ACCRA, August 18, 2026 – Sixty-two Ghanaians have been killed while another 15 remain missing after travelling to Russia amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has disclosed.
The Minister made the disclosure during a press conference in Moscow following bilateral discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
In a subsequent post on X, Mr. Ablakwa said the number of confirmed Ghanaian deaths had increased to 62, while 15 Ghanaian nationals who travelled to Russia remained unaccounted for.
“Unfortunately, the number of Ghanaian deaths in Russia has gone up. 62 Ghanaians have now died, and 15 who travelled to Russia remain missing,” he said.
Ghana Raises Recruitment Concerns
Mr. Ablakwa said a major issue raised during his engagement with Mr. Lavrov was the alleged illegal recruitment of Ghanaian citizens who are lured to Russia with promises of employment but subsequently enlisted to participate in military operations.
He said Ghana was particularly concerned about the recruitment of young people who travel to Russia expecting to secure jobs, only to find themselves involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“An important matter to Ghana was how to stop the illegal recruitment of Ghanaian youth who are lured and end up fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war,” the Minister said.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, the Russian government has pledged to collaborate with Ghana to prevent the illegal enlistment of Ghanaian citizens into military operations.
He welcomed the commitment, saying it represented an important step towards protecting Ghanaian youth from being exploited and drawn into a conflict that does not involve Ghana.
“I welcome the pledge of the Russian Government to work with the Government of Ghana to stop the illegal enlistment of our youth,” he said.
Government Steps Up Engagement
Mr. Ablakwa said the Ghanaian government would continue discussions with the Russian authorities and advocate measures to protect Ghanaian citizens from recruitment into the war.
He stressed that Ghana would intensify efforts to prevent young people from being deceived by recruitment schemes that could expose them to serious danger.
“The Government of Ghana will continue to lead advocacy on this matter and ensure that our youth are protected from harm’s way. This is not our war, and it should not be claiming Ghanaian lives,” he added.
The disclosure comes amid growing concerns over reports that some Ghanaian nationals are being recruited to Russia under the guise of employment before allegedly being deployed to participate in military operations in the Russia-Ukraine war.
The latest figures have renewed calls for stronger measures to protect Ghanaians seeking employment opportunities abroad and to prevent fraudulent recruitment networks from exploiting young people.