Ghana troops killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine war
Ghana’s foreign minister says at least 55 Ghanaians have died fighting for Russia in Ukraine; this is one of the highest death rates among many African countries whose citizens are fighting in the war.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said that, based on information received from Ukrainian officials, 272 Ghanaians have been drawn into the war since 2022, and two of them were captured as prisoners of war.
“Ukrainian authorities, through reliable intelligence collection, have revealed that they have documented 1,780 Africans from 36 countries who were persuaded by criminal trafficking networks to join the war against Ukraine,” said Ablakwa, who was on a trip to Ukraine.
Ghana has been added to the growing list of African countries expressing concern about their citizens fighting in the war.
Many were recruited through questionable strategies such as gainful employment or skills training.
An intelligence report published last week said 1,000 Kenyans were recruited to fight on Russia’s behalf after being misled by false promises of jobs.
The Kenyan government said dozens of people were either injured or missing.
Two Nigerians fighting on behalf of Russia were killed late last year, Ukraine’s intelligence agency said this month.
A group of 11 South African citizens who were allegedly persuaded to fight on behalf of Russia arrived at Durban airport on Wednesday.
In South Africa, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, is being investigated by police for her alleged involvement in the lure of more than a dozen South African men to Russia.
“As a responsible government, we cannot turn a blind eye to these heartbreaking statistics,” Ablakwa said.
“This is not our war and we cannot allow our young people to become human shields for others.”
The minister said the Ghanaian government would intensify public education and work to “track and dismantle all darknet illegal recruitment schemes” operating in the country.
He added that the two captured Ghanaians had warned youths against joining the conflict by being lured by financial incentives.
