55 Ghanaians lured into Russia-Ukraine war killed
272 Ghanaians lured into Russia-Ukraine war, 55 killed – Foreign Minister
The government has launched investigations into alleged criminal recruitment networks after 272 Ghanaian nationals were reported to have been drafted into the Russia-Ukraine conflict through fraudulent overseas employment schemes.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the measures at a media briefing in Accra on Monday, stating that 55 of the reported cases involved Ghanaians who had died, while two others were being held as prisoners of war.
Mr Ablakwa said information gathered during his recent visit to Kyiv indicated that the recruitment of Ghanaians formed part of a broader pattern involving nationals of several African countries. “It is estimated that about 1,780 African nationals from 36 countries have joined Russian forces,” he said.
272 Ghanaians recruited into Russia-Ukraine war, 55 reported dead — government#UTVGhana pic.twitter.com/dbER6g1Hau
— UTV Ghana (@utvghana) July 27, 2026
The Minister said many of the affected Ghanaians had responded to employment advertisements for jobs in construction, hospitality, logistics and security services but were instead allegedly recruited into the conflict.
The government is also engaging foreign authorities to establish the identities and welfare of the affected Ghanaians and provide consular assistance where appropriate. The Foreign Minister said the Ministry was working with relevant foreign authorities to verify the identities and welfare of the affected Ghanaians while domestic security agencies investigated the alleged recruitment networks.
“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. He said the Government had intensified public education to encourage prospective migrants to verify overseas employment opportunities before travelling.
The Minister said the reported cases formed part of a broader challenge involving fraudulent overseas recruitment, human trafficking and irregular migration. “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.
Mr Ablakwa outlined recent consular interventions, including the voluntary repatriation of 638 Ghanaian nationals from Libya through humanitarian return operations, and 244 Ghanaian nationals repatriated from Cambodia after being recruited through cyber-enabled employment schemes.
He also expressed concern about alleged trafficking networks linked to the QNET scam operating in parts of West Africa, noting that since January 2026, 61 Ghanaian nationals had been rescued from locations in Côte d’Ivoire, of whom 45 had been repatriated, while another 315 Ghanaians had returned home following enforcement operations by the Ivorian authorities.
