Ghana engages Ukraine to release of Ghanaian prisoners

Ghana has started diplomatic talks with Ukraine to secure the release of a Ghanaian national currently held as a prisoner of war.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the development on January 3, saying the Ukrainian government had formally informed Ghana of the arrest and confirmed the individual’s identity.

Available records show the Ghanaian traveled to Moscow, Russia on July 7, 2024, where he signed a contract to join the 2nd Assault Company of the 71st Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division. He later took part in hostilities in the Zaporizhzhia area.

Ablakwa said he met with Ukraine’s Acting Ambassador to Ghana, Ivan Lukachuk, on Friday to appeal for the detainee’s release. A formal message has also been sent to Kyiv, and the Minister plans to travel to Ukraine in the coming weeks to continue negotiations.

Ghana has opposed the possibility of its national being included in a prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia, warning that it could put him at greater risk…CONTINUE MORE READING>>>

Read the full 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.

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 Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 42nd Motorized 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.

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, 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 prioritizing the welfare of all Ghanaians and ensuring that no one is left in harm’s way.