The number of Ghanaians reported to have lost their lives in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has risen to 62, while another 15 Ghanaian nationals remain missing, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The minister disclosed the figures during his official visit to Russia, where he held bilateral discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The latest figures represent an increase from the previously reported number of Ghanaian deaths linked to the conflict.
Ablakwa said the issue of Ghanaian nationals being recruited to participate in the war was raised during his discussions with the Russian authorities.
According to the minister, Ghana is particularly concerned about the recruitment of young Ghanaians who are allegedly lured to Russia through promises of employment and other opportunities before ending up involved in the conflict.
He described the situation as a serious concern for the Ghanaian government and stressed the need to protect young people from being drawn into a war that does not involve Ghana.
“This is not our war and it should not be claiming Ghanaian lives,” Ablakwa said, according to reports on his remarks.
The minister’s disclosure comes after Ghana previously reported that a significant number of its citizens had been recruited or lured into the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Earlier in 2026, Ghanaian authorities indicated that dozens of citizens had already died while others were believed to be fighting or had been captured.
The latest figures of 62 deaths and 15 missing have therefore increased concern over the scale of the problem.
Ghana has been seeking cooperation from Russia to help prevent further recruitment of its citizens into the conflict.
During the Moscow discussions, Ablakwa reportedly welcomed Russia’s willingness to engage with Ghana on the matter and work toward addressing concerns surrounding the recruitment of Ghanaian nationals.
The issue is particularly sensitive because some young people are reportedly targeted with offers of jobs and other opportunities abroad.
Authorities have warned that individuals considering overseas employment should carefully verify opportunities before travelling and should be cautious of offers that could place them in dangerous situations.
The Ghanaian government has also indicated its intention to continue working to identify and disrupt networks involved in allegedly deceptive recruitment activities.
Meanwhile, the Russia-Ukraine war continues to have significant humanitarian consequences, with nationals from different countries becoming involved in the conflict.
For Ghana, the growing number of casualties has added urgency to diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing more citizens from being recruited.
The 15 Ghanaians reported missing are also a major concern for their families and the authorities, as efforts continue to establish their whereabouts.
Ablakwa’s discussions with Lavrov are therefore expected to form part of Ghana’s broader diplomatic efforts to protect its citizens and address the recruitment issue.
The Ghanaian government has maintained that the safety of its citizens must remain a priority and that young people should not be exposed to unnecessary risks through deceptive recruitment schemes.
The latest casualty figures have renewed calls for greater awareness among Ghanaians considering employment opportunities abroad.
As diplomatic engagements continue, authorities will be closely watching developments to determine whether measures agreed with Russia can help reduce the recruitment of Ghanaian nationals into the conflict.
For the families of those who have died or remain missing, however, the issue remains deeply personal, with many still waiting for answers about the fate of their loved ones.
Source: Thepressradio.com
