Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed that the government has launched investigations into alleged criminal recruitment networks luring Ghanaians into the Russia-Ukraine conflict through fraudulent overseas employment schemes.
According to Ablakwa, 272 Ghanaian nationals were reported to have been drafted into the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with 55 reported dead.
Ablakwa disclosed that his recent visit to Kyiv revealed to him that the recruitment of Ghanaians formed part of a broader pattern involving nationals of several African countries.
He disclosed, “It is estimated that about 1,780 African nationals from 36 countries have joined Russian forces.
The Mahama Administration is committed to tracking and dismantling all dark web illegal recruitment schemes operating within our jurisdiction. This is not our war, and we cannot allow our youth to become human shields for others”, Mr Ablakwa stated.
“Criminal networks continue to exploit vulnerable Ghanaians through false promises of employment, education and business opportunities abroad, exposing many to trafficking, forced labour, cyber-enabled criminal activities and other forms of exploitation”, he said.
Meanwhile, a Ghanaian man has shared a harrowing experience of how he was tricked into joining the Russian military to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.
According to a report, the Ghanaian man revealed that he was promised a job when he was recruited by an agent in Dubai.
He explained, “In his search for better opportunities, he accepted the offer, completed the required steps, and eventually travelled to Moscow, the capital of Russia.”
The Ghanaian man detailed that, upon arriving at a military camp, he discovered that he was actually expected to join the military and participate in the ongoing war.
He further revealed that “he was not alone” in this ordeal, as he was among hundreds of Africans who had been similarly deceived.
In related news, the European Union has cautioned Ghanaians against being lured into the Russia-Ukraine War, which has nothing to do with them.
According to the European Union, the conflict does not concern Ghana and should not involve its citizens.
The High Representative and Vice President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, condemned the practice, describing Russia’s recruitment of Africans as unethical.
Speaking at the signing of a security and defence partnership between the EU and Ghana on Tuesday, March 24, Kaja Kallas stated, “Russia’s war is a threat to Europe and also has consequences beyond its borders, including in Ghana
Beyond Russia’s unethical recruitment of African nationals, it places economic hardship on citizens. Your people should not be lured into a war that is not theirs,” Kallas said.
Watch the video below:
272 Ghanaians recruited into Russia-Ukraine war, 55 reported dead — government#UTVGhana pic.twitter.com/dbER6g1Hau
— UTV Ghana (@utvghana) July 27, 2026
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