Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa with Ivan Lukachuk after the negotiations
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that Ghana has begun diplomatic negotiations with Ukraine to secure the release of a Ghanaian national who is currently being held as a prisoner of war.
In a post on X on January 3, 2026, Ablakwa said the Ukrainian government had officially notified Ghana of the arrest and detention of the citizen and provided his identity, which has since been verified by Ghanaian authorities.
The name of the individual has, however, been withheld.
According to evidence made available to the government, the Ghanaian arrived in Moscow, Russia, on July 7, 2024, where records indicate he signed a contract to join the 2nd Assault Company of the 71st Motorized Rifle Regiment under the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division of the Russian military.
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He later participated in hostilities in the Zaporizhzhia direction before being captured by Ukrainian forces.
Ablakwa disclosed that he met, on Thursday, January 1, 2026, with the Acting Ambassador of Ukraine to Ghana, Ivan Lukachuk, during which he formally appealed for the Ghanaian’s release.
He added that a special diplomatic message has also been sent to Kyiv to reinforce Ghana’s request.
Ablakwa further disclosed plans to travel to Ukraine in the coming weeks to personally continue negotiations aimed at securing the citizen’s freedom.
Ghana, he said, has objected to the possibility of the individual being included in a prisoner-of-war exchange between Ukraine and Russia, warning that such a move could further expose him to danger.
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“We are hopeful that our intense diplomatic efforts will yield the expected results, particularly by leveraging our cordial relations and Ghana’s strong advocacy for peace and a cessation of the conflict,” Ablakwa stated.
He used the opportunity to caution Ghanaian youth against falling victim to criminal recruitments and human trafficking networks that lure individuals into foreign conflicts, often through clandestine channels and the dark web.
“It is extremely dangerous to get involved in any conflict; you can be killed or captured,” he cautioned.
Ablakwa reaffirmed that the Mahama administration remains committed to prioritising the welfare and safety of all Ghanaians, both at home and abroad, and will continue working to ensure no citizen is left in harm’s way.
Read the full post below:
Ghana has commenced diplomatic negotiations with Ukraine aimed at securing the release of a Ghanaian national (name withheld) who is being held by the Ukrainians as a prisoner of war.
The Ukrainian Government has notified us of the arrest of our national and provided his… pic.twitter.com/TeyFP5l5Pw
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) January 3, 2026
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