Ukraine: 55 Ghanaians Killed Fighting for Russia (Gov’t Vows Crackdown on Recruitment)
Ukrainian officials say that at least 55 Ghanaians who joined the Russian army for the war in Ukraine have died. Brigadier General Dmytro Usov told a Ghanaian delegation led by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in Kiev that 272 Ghanaians have joined the army in the last three years, with recruitment rising by more than 300% last year. Ghana is said to be responsible for 16% of the 1,785 African recruits from 36 countries. Since the war began, Russia has recruited over 24,098 foreigners from 135 countries, with at least 3,388 of them dying in action. There are currently two Ghanaians being held as prisoners of war in Ukraine. Minister Ablakwa said that the Ghanaian government is committed to stopping illegal recruitment, raising public awareness, and getting African leaders to work together to keep young people from being used in the conflict.
