‘Do not let Russia pay for its madness with lives of your people’ – Zelensky to Ghana, 46 other countries

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has implored Ghana and an additional 46 nations to safeguard their citizens from being enlisted by Russia to combat in the ongoing war against Ukraine. During his address at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Zelenskyy highlighted that Russia has enlisted nationals from 47 countries in the conflict, citing Ghana among them.

He also alleged that some of these foreign nationals were recruited through deceptive tactics, while others were coerced into joining the battlefield. In addition, Zelenskyy received requests from several countries seeking the return of prisoners of war. He made a direct appeal to the representatives of these 47 countries, urging them to protect their citizens and prevent them from becoming casualties of Russia's war.

Specifically mentioning Ghana, Zelenskyy emphasized that the nation must take action to ensure their citizens do not join the conflict. The Ukrainian leader's remarks come at a time when there is growing international concern over the involvement of foreign nationals in the Russia-Ukraine war. In August, Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed that 62 Ghanaians have been killed and 15 are missing due to the conflict.

The minister emphasized that his government is intensifying diplomatic efforts to prevent the illegal recruitment of Ghanaian youth into the war and protect them from recruitment networks operating in Russia.