By Enock Akonnor (Managing Editor) enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
Ghana has commenced high-level diplomatic engagements with the Government of Ukraine to secure the release of a Ghanaian national currently being held as a prisoner of war, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced.
According to the Minister, Ukrainian authorities officially informed the Government of Ghana of the arrest of the individual and provided identifying details, which have since been verified by Ghanaian officials.
The name of the detainee has been withheld for security reasons.
Available evidence indicates that the Ghanaian national travelled to Moscow, Russia, on July 7, 2024, where records show he signed a contract to enlist with the 2nd Assault Company of the 71st Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division.
He later took part in active hostilities in the Zaporizhzhia region before being captured by Ukrainian forces.
Hon. Ablakwa disclosed that he held a meeting yesterday with the Acting Ambassador of Ukraine to Ghana, Mr. Ivan Lukachuk, during which he formally appealed for the Ghanaian’s release.
A special diplomatic communication has also been dispatched to Kyiv to reinforce Ghana’s position.
The Foreign Affairs Minister further revealed that he is scheduled to travel to Ukraine in the coming weeks to personally continue negotiations aimed at securing the detainee’s freedom.
Ghana has formally objected to any attempt to include the Ghanaian national in a prisoner-of-war exchange between Ukraine and Russia, cautioning that such a move could expose him to greater risk.
“We are hopeful that our intense diplomatic efforts will yield the expected results, particularly by leveraging our cordial bilateral relations and Ghana’s long-standing advocacy for peace and a cessation of the conflict,” Hon. Ablakwa stated.
The Minister also used the opportunity to issue a strong warning to Ghanaian youth, urging them to remain vigilant against criminal recruitment and human trafficking networks that operate covertly, often through online platforms and 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.
Hon. Ablakwa reaffirmed the Mahama administration’s commitment to protecting the welfare of all Ghanaians, both at home and abroad, stressing that no citizen would be abandoned in harm’s way.
“For God and Country,” the Minister concluded in his statement shared on his official Facebook page.
Enock Akonnor is an experienced Ghanaian journalist, based in Kumasi and currently serves as the CEO and Managing Editor of www.leakyghana.com.
With a wealth of expertise built over many years in the media industry, he has earned a solid reputation as one of Ghana’s most sought-after journalists.
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