Ukraine invites Ablakwa for talks in February, offers Ghana access to detained citizen captured fighting for Russia

Ukraine has formally invited Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to visit Kyiv in February 2026 for direct talks over a Ghanaian national captured while fighting on the Russian side in the ongoing war.

The invitation was announced by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, who said Ghanaian diplomats would be granted access to the detainee in line with international humanitarian law, following a request by the Government of Ghana for the citizen’s return.

In a public message issued on Tuesday, January 7 on X, Sybiha said Ukraine had acknowledged Ghana’s concerns regarding the detention of the Ghanaian, who is being held as a prisoner of war after his capture in a combat zone.

“We have noted Ghana’s concerns and request for the return of a Ghanaian citizen who was captured in a combat zone as a Russian mercenary,” Sybiha said.

He added that Ukraine was ready to engage Ghana at the highest diplomatic level to address the matter.

“I reiterate my invitation to Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to visit Ukraine in February 2026,” he said.

According to the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Ghanaian officials would be allowed consular access to the detainee upon formal request.

“Ghanaian diplomats will be granted access to prisoners of war upon their request, in accordance with international humanitarian law, and we stand ready to discuss this issue in a substantive manner,” he said.

Sybiha said Ukraine looked forward to continued engagement with Ghana based on mutual respect and friendship.

“We look forward to engaging with the Ghanaian side in a spirit of friendship and mutual respect,” he added.

The development follows confirmation by Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry that diplomatic engagements have begun to secure the release of a Ghanaian citizen detained by Ukrainian authorities after fighting as part of Russian forces.

Mr Ablakwa earlier disclosed that Ukraine had formally notified Ghana of the arrest and detention of the individual and provided identifying details, which were subsequently verified by Ghanaian officials.

According to information available to the Ministry, the Ghanaian travelled to Moscow on July 7, 2024, where records indicate he signed a contract to join the 2nd Assault Company of the 71st Motorised Rifle Regiment under Russia’s 42nd Motorised Rifle Division.

The individual later took part in hostilities in the Zaporizhzhia direction before being captured by Ukrainian troops.

Mr Ablakwa said he had met the Acting Ambassador of Ukraine to Ghana, Ivan Lukachuk, during which he formally appealed for the Ghanaian’s release to allow for his safe return home. He added that a special diplomatic communication had also been sent to Kyiv to reinforce Ghana’s request.

The Foreign Affairs Minister further revealed that he is expected to travel to Ukraine in the coming weeks to personally pursue negotiations aimed at securing the detainee’s freedom.

He stressed that Ghana has objected to any attempt to include the Ghanaian in a possible prisoner of war exchange between Ukraine and Russia, warning that such a move could further endanger his safety.

The case comes amid growing concern over Russia’s recruitment of foreign nationals to bolster its military ranks as the war drags on. Ukrainian authorities say more than 1,400 African nationals are currently fighting for Russia, many of whom were allegedly recruited through deception or coercion.

Ukraine has reported capturing fighters from several African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal and Uganda, with many detainees claiming they were misled into signing contracts and deployed to frontline combat zones.

Mr Ablakwa has cautioned Ghanaian youth against falling victim to criminal recruitment and human trafficking networks, particularly those operating through online platforms and the dark web.

He warned that involvement in foreign conflicts carries extreme risks, including death, injury or prolonged detention, and assured the public that the Mahama administration remains committed to protecting the welfare of all Ghanaians at home and abroad.