Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that Ghana has begun diplomatic engagements with Ukraine to secure the release of a Ghanaian citizen currently being held as a prisoner of war.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, January 3, 2026, the Minister revealed that the Ukrainian government had formally informed Ghana of the individual’s arrest and shared his identity, which Ghanaian authorities have since verified.
Mr. Ablakwa explained that information available to the Ministry shows the Ghanaian travelled to Moscow, Russia, on July 7, 2024.
Records indicate that he later signed a contract to join the 2nd Assault Company of the 71st Motorized Rifle Regiment under the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division, and subsequently participated in hostilities in the Zaporizhzhia area.
The Minister said he has already met with the Acting Ambassador of Ukraine to Ghana, Ivan Lukachuk, to formally request the release of the Ghanaian national.
“Yesterday, I held a meeting with the Acting Ambassador of Ukraine to Ghana, Ivan Lukachuk, and appealed for his release to Ghana. A special message has also been sent to Kyiv,” he stated.
Mr. Ablakwa added that he plans to travel to Ukraine in the coming weeks to continue discussions. He noted that Ghana has raised strong objections to any attempt to include its citizen in a prisoner-of-war exchange between Ukraine and Russia, warning that such a move could place him at greater risk.
“Ghana has objected to the potential inclusion of our national in a prisoners-of-war exchange, as this could make him even more vulnerable,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the diplomatic process, the Minister said Ghana’s longstanding commitment to peace and its cordial relations with Ukraine give reason for optimism.
“We are hopeful that our sustained diplomatic efforts will yield the desired outcome, particularly by leveraging our cordial relations and Ghana’s strong advocacy for peace and an end to the conflict,” he noted.
Mr. Ablakwa also used the opportunity to caution Ghanaian youth against falling victim to criminal recruitment and human trafficking networks, which he said often operate secretly.
“I urge the youth of Ghana to be vigilant against these criminal recruitment and human trafficking networks, many of which operate through the dark web. Please do not fall prey. Getting involved in conflicts is extremely dangerous—you could be killed or captured,” he warned.
