Ghana appeals to Russia after losing 55 citizens in Ukraine war - Did Moscow respond
Illustrative photo: African soldiers (Getty Images)
Ghana’s authorities have demanded that Moscow stop recruiting its citizens into the Russian army after confirming 55 deaths, according to Bloomberg and Ghana’s foreign minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Read also: More than 1700 Africans fighting for Russia: Ukrainian foreign minister reveals scale
In an interview with Bloomberg, Ghana’s foreign minister said Accra has initiated talks with the Kremlin to develop mechanisms to prevent the recruitment of Ghanaians into the Russian army, adding that there has been no response from Moscow so far.
"We need to engage with them more," the minister said.
Scale of African recruitment
Concerns over the recruitment of African nationals into Russia’s military have grown. Ukrainian intelligence estimates that more than 1,780 Africans from 36 countries are fighting on Russia’s side.
According to Ablakwa, 272 of them are Ghanaian citizens. Of those, 55 have been killed and two captured. Recruiters reportedly promised salaries ranging from $30,000 to $40,000 per year.
Kenya and South Africa have previously reported repatriating citizens who signed contracts with Russian forces, saying they were misled about the terms of service.
Visit to Kyiv and release of detainees
Ablakwa recently visited Kyiv and met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
During the visit, the sides agreed on the release of two Ghanaian citizens captured in Ukraine. The minister said they had been recruited by private agents who promised employment but were instead sent to the frontline with Russian units.
India has also reported recruitment cases involving its citizens. According to official data, at least 200 Indians were recruited by Russian recruiters to take part in the war against Ukraine, with at least 26 killed and seven missing.
