Ghana has commenced diplomatic negotiations with Ukraine to secure the release of a Ghanaian national currently being held as a prisoner of war, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced.

According to the minister, the Ukrainian government formally notified Ghana of the arrest of the national and provided identifying details, which Ghanaian authorities have since verified. The individual’s name has been withheld.

Mr Ablakwa disclosed that evidence available to the government indicates that the Ghanaian travelled to 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 of the Russian military. He later participated in active hostilities in the Zaporizhzhia direction, where he was subsequently captured by Ukrainian forces.

The Foreign Affairs Minister said he met on Thursday with the Acting Ambassador of Ukraine to Ghana, Ivan Lukachuk, during which he formally appealed for the release of the detained Ghanaian. He added that a special diplomatic message has also been sent to Kyiv to reinforce Ghana’s position.

Mr Ablakwa further revealed that he is scheduled to travel to Ukraine in the coming weeks to personally continue negotiations aimed at securing the release of the national.

Ghana, he said, has strongly objected to the possibility of the detained Ghanaian being included in any prisoner-of-war exchange between Ukraine and Russia, warning that such a move could expose him to heightened risk and vulnerability.

“We are hopeful that our intense diplomatic efforts will yield the expected results, particularly by leveraging our cordial relations and Ghana’s strong advocacy for peace and a cessation of the conflict,” the minister stated.

In a cautionary message, Mr Ablakwa used the opportunity to warn Ghanaian youth against falling victim to criminal recruitment and human trafficking networks, which he said often operate clandestinely, including 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,” he cautioned.

The Foreign Affairs Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the protection of citizens abroad, stressing that the Mahama administration will continue to prioritise the welfare of all Ghanaians and ensure that no one is left in harm’s way.

“For God and Country,” he concluded.