Ghana Reports 55 Citizens Killed Fighting for Russia in Ukraine War
Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed that at least 55 Ghanaians have lost their lives while fighting for Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This announcement was made on Friday, 27 February 2026, during the minister's official visit to Ukraine, marking one of the highest death tolls among African nations involved in the war.
Recruitment and Casualty Figures
According to Minister Ablakwa, who cited intelligence provided by Ukrainian officials, a total of 272 Ghanaians have been recruited into the battle since 2022 through criminal trafficking networks. Among these individuals, two have been captured as prisoners of war. The minister emphasized that Ukrainian authorities have documented 1,780 Africans from 36 different countries who have been similarly lured into joining the war against Ukraine.
"As a responsible government, we cannot turn a blind eye to these heartbreaking statistics," Ablakwa stated. "This is not our war and we cannot allow our youth to become human shields for others."
Broader African Concerns and Cases
Ghana joins a growing list of African countries expressing deep concern over their citizens being recruited to fight in the Ukraine war, often through deceptive tactics such as promises of lucrative jobs or skills training. Recent reports highlight similar issues across the continent:
- An intelligence report last week indicated that 1,000 Kenyans were recruited to fight for Russia after being misled with false job offers, with dozens hospitalized or missing.
- Ukraine's intelligence agency reported this month that two Nigerians were killed fighting for Russia at the end of last year.
- A group of 11 South African nationals, allegedly lured into fighting for Russia, arrived at Durban airport on Wednesday.
- In South Africa, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, is under police investigation for allegedly involving more than a dozen South African men in recruitment schemes for Russia.
Government Response and Preventive Measures
In response to this crisis, Minister Ablakwa announced that Ghana's government plans to intensify public education campaigns and work diligently to "track and dismantle all dark web illegal recruitment schemes" operating within the country. He noted that the two captured Ghanaians have issued warnings to young people, urging them to resist the temptation of financial incentives to join the conflict.
The minister's statements underscore a broader international issue of human trafficking and exploitation in conflict zones, with African nations increasingly taking steps to protect their citizens from becoming casualties in foreign wars.
