The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced the commencement of diplomatic negotiations with Ukraine for the release of a Ghanaian national, who was captured by Ukrainian authorities as a prisoner of war in the Russia-Ukraine War.
According to official documents shared with Ghana, the unnamed individual arrived in Russia in July 2024, where he joined the Russian military and fought in the Zaporizhzhia area.
On Friday, 2nd January 2026, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister met with the Acting Ambassador of Ukraine to Ghana, Ivan Lukachuk and appealed for the release of the young man to Ghana.
In a post shared on X, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa stated, “Ghana has commenced diplomatic negotiations with Ukraine aimed at securing the release of a Ghanaian national (name withheld) who is being held by the Ukrainians as a prisoner of war.
The Ukrainian Government has notified us of the arrest of our national and provided his identity, which we have now verified.
Evidence made available indicates that the Ghanaian arrived in Moscow, Russia, on July 7, 2024, where records show he signed a contract to join the 2nd Assault Company of the 71st Motorised Rifle Regiment of the 42nd Motorised Rifle Division. He subsequently participated in hostilities in the Zaporizhzhia direction.
Yesterday, I held a meeting with the Acting Ambassador of Ukraine to Ghana, Ivan Lukachuk and appealed for his release to Ghana”.
The post added, “A special message has been sent to Kyiv.
I am also scheduled to travel to Ukraine in the coming weeks to continue with negotiations for his release.
Ghana has objected to the potential of our national being added to a prisoners of war exchange between Ukraine and Russia, considering that could make him even more vulnerable.
We are hopeful that our intense diplomatic efforts would yield the expected results, particularly by leveraging our cordial relations and Ghana’s strong advocacy for peace and a cessation of the conflict.
May I use this opportunity to passionately appeal to the youth of Ghana to be alert to the modus operandi of these criminal recruitment and human trafficking networks operating clandestinely and often through the dark web. Please do not fall prey. It is extremely dangerous to get involved in any conflict; you can be killed or captured.
The Mahama administration will keep prioritising the welfare of all Ghanaians and ensuring that no one is left in harm’s way”.
See the post below:
Ghana has commenced diplomatic negotiations with Ukraine aimed at securing the release of a Ghanaian national (name withheld) who is being held by the Ukrainians as a prisoner of war.
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) January 3, 2026
The Ukrainian Government has notified us of the arrest of our national and provided his… pic.twitter.com/TeyFP5l5Pw