Ghana announced on Monday, November 2, that it had obtained from Russian President Vladimir Putin a commitment that its nationals would no longer be allowed to participate in the war in Ukraine, following discussions with his Ghanaian counterpart John Dramani Mahama in Moscow.
According to the Ghanaian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the measure is intended to cover both irregular recruitments and voluntary engagements. Accra presented this assurance among the outcomes of discussions held on the sidelines of the third Russia-Africa summit.
This announcement comes after several months of diplomatic efforts by Ghana regarding the fate of its citizens. Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa had indicated that 272 Ghanaians had been recruited since 2022, often after responding to job offers abroad.
The Ghanaian government had raised its toll to 62 dead and 15 missing persons in August. These figures remain estimates attributed to the authorities in Accra, who say they are continuing to verify the identity and status of the nationals concerned.
Russia has denied allegations of illegal recruitment targeting African nationals. Its embassy in Accra stated in October that it would investigate any credible information regarding irregular enlistment, while Ghana has launched investigations into networks suspected of using false job offers.
Discussions between John Mahama and Vladimir Putin also focused on a 2,000-megawatt nuclear power plant project, a new defense agreement, agricultural cooperation, and the increase in the number of scholarships awarded to Ghanaian students.
