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Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has revealed that 62 Ghanaians have so far lost their lives after travelling to Russia, while 15 others remain missing amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Mr Ablakwa disclosed the figures in Moscow after holding bilateral discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
In a post on X following the meeting, the Minister expressed concern over the rising number of Ghanaian casualties, stating that 62 citizens had now died, with another 15 who travelled to Russia still unaccounted for.
He said Ghana used the bilateral engagement to raise concerns over the alleged illegal recruitment of Ghanaian nationals who are reportedly attracted to Russia with promises of employment before being enlisted in military operations.
Mr Ablakwa said the government was particularly worried about young Ghanaians who are deceived with job offers only to find themselves drawn into the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“During our press conference in Moscow with Foreign Minister Lavrov after our bilateral engagement, I disclosed that 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,” he said.
According to the Minister, the Russian government has committed to working with Ghana to prevent the illegal enlistment of Ghanaian citizens into military operations.
Mr Ablakwa welcomed the commitment, saying it would help protect Ghanaian youth from being 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 stated.
He assured that the Ghanaian government would continue discussions with Russian authorities and intensify efforts to safeguard Ghanaians from recruitment into the war.
“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 allegations that some Ghanaian nationals are being recruited to Russia with promises of employment and later deployed to the battlefield in the war against Ukraine.