The number of Ghanaians who have died after being illegally recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war has risen to 62, with 15 others still missing, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed.
According to the Minister, the Ghanaian government raised the issue of illegal recruitment during his bilateral engagement with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow.
Mr Ablakwa said Ghana’s concern was focused on preventing Ghanaian youth from being lured to Russia under misleading circumstances and subsequently enlisted to fight in the ongoing war.
“An important matter to Ghana was how to stop the illegal recruitment of Ghanaian youth who are lured and end up fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war,” he said.
He disclosed that despite efforts to address the situation, the number of Ghanaian casualties had continued to increase, with 62 Ghanaians now confirmed dead and 15 others who travelled to Russia remaining unaccounted for.
The Minister welcomed the Russian government’s commitment to collaborate with Ghana to end the illegal enlistment of Ghanaian nationals into the conflict.
Mr Ablakwa said the Ghanaian government would continue to lead advocacy efforts aimed at protecting Ghanaian youth from being recruited into the war.
He stressed that Ghana had no stake in the conflict and that its young people should not be losing their lives in a war that does not involve the country.
“This is not our war and it should not be claiming Ghanaian lives,” the Minister said.
The latest figures highlight the growing concern over the recruitment of foreign nationals into the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with Ghanaian authorities seeking stronger cooperation with Russia to prevent further recruitment and protect Ghanaian citizens.
The government is expected to continue engagements with the Russian authorities as part of efforts to stop the illegal recruitment and secure the safety of Ghanaians travelling to or residing in Russia.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Mavis Fantevi