Ghanaian fighters captured in Ukraine: Countries pledge cooperation under Geneva Conventions
Ukraine today confirmed that Ghanaian nationals captured on the battlefield while fighting for Russian forces are being held as prisoners of war during the historic visit of Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister to Kyiv.
The issue of the Ghanaian prisoners of war (PoWs) was discussed during talks between Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, on Wednesday, February 25.
“We also discussed the issue of Ghanaian PoWs captured while fighting for the aggressor,” Mr Sybiha disclosed in a post on X after the meeting.
The revelation marks one of the clearest official acknowledgements that Ghanaian citizens have been detained in Ukraine in connection with Russia’s ongoing military campaign. While details regarding the number of detainees and the circumstances of their recruitment remain unclear, the matter introduces complex legal and diplomatic considerations for Accra.
Mr Sybiha stressed that Ukraine would handle the detainees in accordance with international humanitarian law.
“Ukraine strictly upholds the Geneva Conventions and will grant Ghanaian diplomats access to their nationals. We confirmed our readiness to cooperate in resolving this issue in accordance with international law and in coordination with the competent authorities of Ukraine.”
He also issued a pointed appeal to African governments, including Ghana, to discourage recruitment into Russia’s armed forces.
“We urge Accra and other African capitals to take active measures to prevent the recruitment of their citizens into Russia’s army.”
The PoW issue surfaced during what was otherwise a landmark diplomatic engagement. Mr Ablakwa’s trip to Kyiv is the first standalone visit by a Ghanaian foreign minister to Ukraine and, according to Ukrainian officials, the first such visit by an African foreign minister since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“I am pleased to welcome my Ghanaian colleague, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to Kyiv today. This is a historic first visit by a foreign minister of the Republic of Ghana to Ukraine, and in fact the first standalone visit by an African foreign minister since the start of the full-scale war,” Mr Sybiha said during a joint press conference.
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister said Kyiv views Ghana as an important partner in West Africa and across the continent, praising Accra’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including its vote at the United Nations General Assembly.
The ministers described their discussions as wide-ranging and practical, covering political dialogue, economic cooperation, humanitarian coordination and multilateral engagement.
“We also separately discussed prospects for cooperation with Ghana in organizing Ukrainian and Ghanaian humanitarian initiatives aimed at ensuring global food stability… We had a very focused discussion, including the possibility of establishing a grain hub on Ghanaian territory. Particular attention was paid to expanding trade, agricultural partnership, cooperation in education, and collaboration in the defence industries,” Mr Sybiha noted.
The proposal to establish a grain hub in Ghana reflects Ukraine’s broader effort to maintain agricultural export routes and stabilise global food supply chains disrupted by the war.
The visit began with a symbolic gesture, as both ministers laid flowers at the Wall of Remembrance in Kyiv. Mr Sybiha said he thanked his Ghanaian counterpart for his “words of support on the fourth grim anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion” and for Ghana’s backing of a recent UN resolution.
“We wish to expand our mutually beneficial cooperation with Ghana for the benefit of both of our nations. While Russia drags foreigners to their deaths, Ukraine offers cooperation for the sake of life, education, and a common future,” Mr Sybiha said.
Discussions also touched on possible reciprocal visits by the two countries’ leaders and the prospect of expanding Ghana’s diplomatic presence in Ukraine.
