Ghana asks Moscow to stop recruiting its citizens for war in Ukraine

Ghana has urged Russia to cease enlisting its citizens for the conflict in Ukraine, as reported by Russian media on August 17. According to Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, 62 Ghanaian nationals have perished in Ukraine, with 15 others still missing. This appeal comes as other nations, including those in Africa and Asia, express growing concern over Moscow's efforts to recruit their citizens as mercenaries for the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

During discussions with their Russian counterpart, Ablakwa and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov agreed to collaborate on addressing the issue. Lavrov claimed that the Russian Defense Ministry has received similar requests from various countries and established a specialized unit to review such applications. Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) has warned that Russia intends to enlist more than 18,500 foreigners into its armed forces by 2026.

In February, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha revealed that at least 1,780 citizens from diverse African nations are currently fighting alongside Russia. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, the country has been recruiting fighters from Global South nations, offering financial incentives and the prospect of Russian citizenship. Several countries have voiced their worries about the increasing recruitment rates, with Botswana issuing an official statement regarding deceitful recruitment practices.

In the past, foreigners have complained of being misled and coerced into participating in combat operations as Russia ramped up its propaganda campaigns across African countries.