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By: Grigorii Pyrlik, Contributor
The full-scale war launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine has also served as a catalyst for strengthening Ukraine’s diplomatic presence on a global scale.
Following the start of the war, Ukraine intensified its diplomatic efforts not only with Western allies but also in the so-called Global South, particularly in Africa. Among the 10 new diplomatic missions established in Africa, one of the first to open at the end of 2023 was the Embassy of Ukraine in Ghana.
The Kremlin has traditionally sought to manipulate and maintain influence in many African countries, exploiting the Soviet legacy, historical ties, military cooperation, and economic leverage.
By expanding its diplomatic presence, Ukraine is working to counter these manipulations, strengthening relations with African countries and securing their support in international organizations such as the UN.
Africa is a key market for Ukrainian grain, food products, engineering, and education. The opening of the Embassy in Ghana will foster the expansion of trade, investment, and educational cooperation.
Ukraine’s diplomatic presence also plays a crucial role in countering Kremlin propaganda and disinformation in Africa. Russian narratives seek to divide the world into a so-called “neocolonial” West, allegedly controlling Ukraine, and an “anti-colonial” Russia, which claims to resist Western pressure while enjoying the supposed support of the Global South.
In reality, however, Russia remains one of the world’s last colonial empires, ruthlessly exploiting its territories, oppressing entire peoples, and erasing their national identities.
Through initiatives like “Grain from Ukraine,” Ukraine continues to uphold its role as a reliable grain supplier. It is working to help Ghana and other African nations reduce their dependence on food imports and strengthen their own agricultural production.
How many people does the Ukrainian community in Ghana have and what do Ukrainians living there mainly do?
The Ukrainian community in Ghana is relatively small but active. The exact number of Ukrainians living in the country is unknown, as official Ghanaian statistics on this matter are currently unavailable. However, the Embassy maintains contact with several dozen Ukrainians.
Some Ukrainians moved to Ghana during the Soviet era, often as part of mixed marriages, while others arrived after Ukraine gained independence. Members of the Ukrainian community are involved in various fields, including business, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals. Many work as doctors and pharmacists, while others run their own enterprises.
Overall, Ukrainians in Ghana actively integrate into local society, contribute to economic development, and play a role in strengthening bilateral relations between Ukraine and Ghana.
What services are provided by the Embassy of Ukraine in Ghana and what are its working hours?
The Embassy of Ukraine in Ghana currently operates at the level of Chargé d’Affaires. According to Mr. Ivan Lukachuk, the Chargé d’Affaires of Ukraine in the Republic of Ghana, the Embassy performs all key functions aimed at strengthening Ukrainian-Ghanaian relations and providing consular services.
Amid Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, the entire Ukrainian diplomatic service operates as a unified and well-coordinated mechanism.
The Embassy is fully committed to fulfilling its diplomatic and consular duties, working tirelessly to deepen Ukrainian-Ghanaian cooperation across various sectors.
The Embassy operates in line with standard diplomatic mission hours, from Monday to Friday. Reception hours for consular services: 09:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Twice escaped from war: a businessman’s story
— I still have the keys to the apartment I rented in Donetsk, — says Ghanaian businessman Joshua , sharing a story that mirrors the experiences of thousands of Ukrainian refugees. Many Ukrainians have also kept the keys to homes destroyed by Russia or to apartments in occupied cities since 2014—places they could no longer return to.
Joshua arrived in Ukraine in 2013 to pursue his university studies. At the time, Donetsk seemed like a logical choice. It was Ukraine’s fifth-largest city, home to nearly a million people, and a major industrial and cultural hub that had hosted Euro 2012 just a year earlier.
But everything changed in the spring of 2014. Following the victory of the Revolution of Dignity in Kyiv and the flight of president Viktor Yanukovych, Russia occupied Crimea and fueled separatist movements in eastern Ukraine.
In Donetsk, armed demonstrators seized government buildings and, on April 7, 2014, proclaimed the so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic” (DPR).
Even Russia did not officially recognize this entity until 2022, and to date, only four countries—Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Syria—have acknowledged it. As the situation in Donetsk became increasingly dangerous, Joshua was forced to flee for the first time.
— The railway was not operational, so we found a taxi to take us to Kostiantynivka. It was incredibly difficult to leave. Several times, Russian-backed militants stopped our car for inspections, — he recalls.
Joshua eventually continued his studies in Vinnytsia, a city in west-central Ukraine. He earned a master’s degree in business administration from Donetsk National University—an institution that itself had to be relocated from Donetsk after the city fell under Russian occupation.
Why Ukraine attracts African students
After graduating, Joshua founded a company that helps African students enroll in Ukrainian universities. Despite the ongoing Russian aggression in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions since 2014, life in the rest of Ukraine remained peaceful before the full-scale invasion in 2022.
African students were drawn to Ukraine because of its relatively affordable tuition fees and internationally recognized diplomas, which are accepted in many countries, Joshua explains.
In the 2021-2022 academic year, more than 20,000 students from 50 African countries studied in Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian State Center for International Education. Among them, 1,072 were from Ghana.
When Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022, Joshua helped evacuate African students.
— I was the last Ghanaian to leave Ukraine. I helped students studying in Kharkiv and Sumy evacuate. I coordinated with our government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We transported people to Slovakia and Romania. Most returned to Ghana, while some stayed in the EU to continue their studies at other universities, — Joshua recalls.
However, according to Joshua, not all Ghanaian students left Ukraine. A group of 107 future specialists decided to stay and continue their education. Joshua himself is currently completing his postgraduate studies in Ukraine.
Russia’s invasion has significantly affected Ukraine’s education system. As of November 2024, the Ukrainian Ministry of Education reported that 11 universities and colleges had been completely destroyed, while 279 had suffered damage.
Despite this, Ukrainian universities continue to operate. In frontline regions and areas under frequent Russian attacks, education is conducted entirely online. However, in cities such as Kyiv, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Ternopil, students still attend in-person classes.
Joshua holds documents bearing Ukraine’s national emblem. They are referrals for dozens of African applicants preparing to enroll in Ukrainian universities in the upcoming academic year. These students are not deterred by the war; they remain committed to their pursuit of knowledge.
Getting to Ukraine, however, presents logistical challenges. Since 2022, due to the threat of Russian missiles and drone attacks, Ukraine’s airspace has been closed to civilian flights.
Travelers must first fly to Moldova or nearby EU countries—Romania, Poland, or Hungary—before continuing their journey by bus or train. This means Ghanaian students must secure a transit visa, either a Schengen or Moldovan visa.
Additionally, applicants must prepare a full set of documents for Ukrainian universities. Joshua notes that this process has become much easier since the Ukrainian Embassy in Accra opened in November 2023.
— If I have any questions about document legalization, I can consult the Embassy. They help me complete everything correctly and inform me about any legislative changes. The opening of the Ukrainian Embassy in Ghana has been a great help, — says Joshua.
Oil, cocoa, ore: what Ukraine and Ghana trade with each other
The opening of the Ukrainian Embassy in Ghana has brought significant relief to Ukrainian entrepreneurs. Mrs. Tetiana, a Ukrainian businesswoman and director of the Ukrainian company operating in logistics and agricultural export, has especially felt the benefits. Her company supplies Ukrainian agricultural products to West African countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Ghana.
In particular, Tetiana’s company imports sunflower oil and soybeans to Ghana. Over the past two years, Tetiana has visited Ghana 12 times, and her company, registered in Ghana’s free economic zone, plans to open an oil bottling plant in the country.
— The Ukrainian Embassy helps everyone. We held meetings there, with either the Chargé d’Affaires or the consul personally assisting us — in particular, with translation.
Since the Embassy opened, working here has become much easier. Previously, Ghanaian officials were indifferent toward us, particularly in the business sector and free economic zone authorities.
For three years, we struggled to obtain permits to operate in the free economic zone. But after the Embassy opened, the attitude toward us changed, and we finally got the necessary documents, — Tetiana explains.
Tetiana is confident that Ukraine and Ghana have great potential for economic cooperation. Ukrainian businesses could export fresh vegetables, canned goods, and confectionery to Ghana, while Ghana could supply Ukraine with tropical fruits such as bananas, coconuts, and chocolate. During her trips, Tetiana enjoys trying local fruits.
— The coconuts here are delicious and incredibly cheap. And the sucrose content in Ghanaian bananas must be as high as at a sugar factory in Chernivtsi, — she jokes, referencing her hometown in Ukraine.
It’s not just Ukrainian and Ghanaian business people who see opportunities for cooperation—their governments do too. In January 2023, Ukraine’s and Ghana’s Ministers of Agriculture discussed establishing a logistics hub for food storage. Later, in June 2024, President of Ukraine H.E. Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Ghana’s then-President H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo, instructing their governments to facilitate the export of agricultural products to Ghana.
Ukrainian Embassy officials emphasize the importance of these exports: — Ukraine, reaffirming its role as a reliable grain supplier under the Grain from Ukraine initiative, is working to help Ghana and other African nations reduce their dependence on food imports and enhance domestic production, — they stated. The war has severely impacted Ukraine-Ghana economic relations.
In 2021, trade turnover reached $300.06 million, but it plummeted to just $72.31 million in 2022. In 2024, trade is approaching $50 million. Ghana primarily exports ore raw materials, cocoa, and cocoa products to Ukraine, while Ukraine supplies ferrous metals, fats, and animal oils to Ghana. These figures were highlighted by Dr. Maksym Subkh, Ukraine’s Special Envoy for the Middle East and Africa, in an op-ed for the Ukrainian newspaper Apostrophe.
Mr. Yuriy Oliynyk, a political science expert at the Ukrainian Strategic Studies Centre, points out that while agriculture remains the foundation of Ukrainian exports to Ghana, there is room for growth.
— This includes engineering and IT technologies. While not yet at the level we’d like, there is definite potential, — says Oliynyk.
On March 18, 2025, Ukraine’s and Ghana’s Foreign Ministers, H.E. Andriy Sybiha and H.E. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, met in New Delhi, India. This was the first high-level meeting since Ghana’s newly elected President John Mahama took office.
During the meeting, Sybiha reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to investing in Ghana’s food security and strengthening ties with African nations.
RT and the bot network: how Russia spreads anti-Ukrainian propaganda in Africa
Ukraine is actively working to deepen cooperation in the agricultural sector, not only for economic benefits but also to counter Russian propaganda in Africa.
Ukrainian diplomats explain that Moscow exploits its status as a major exporter of grain and fertilizers to influence African nations. In reality, Russia has been illegally exporting stolen grain from Ukraine’s occupied territories to Africa.
In September 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported that Russia and its allies had sold $1 billion worth of grain taken from Ukrainian territories on the global black market.
Beyond economic tactics, Russia also manipulates historical narratives to strengthen its presence in Africa. Chargé d’Affaires of Ukraine in Ghana, Mr. Ivan Lukachuk, highlights how Russian propaganda capitalizes on Africa’s colonial past.
— Russian propagandists label Western nations as “neo-colonial” powers while portraying Russia as an “anti-colonial” force. However, the reality is quite different. The Russian Federation controls more than 100 indigenous nations, systematically suppressing their languages, cultures, and identities.
It sends people from these communities to fight against Ukraine. In August 2024, the Siberia. Realities project reported that indigenous groups from the Russian North were suffering devastating losses in the war. Some ethnic groups now have only a few dozen members left, — Lukachuk explains.
— Russia is perhaps the only empire in the world composed of internal colonies, which it ruthlessly exploits, oppressing entire nations and erasing their identities, — he adds.
Overcoming Russian disinformation in Africa is a major challenge for Ukraine. Russia has established an extensive propaganda network using state-controlled media outlets like Sputnik and RT, as well as anonymous social media accounts and bots. Ukrainian businesswoman Tetiana, who frequently visits Ghana, notes that even search engine algorithms in the country favor Russian narratives.
— I subscribe exclusively to Ukrainian news channels on YouTube. But in Ghana, I had to search for the name three times before I could find the right news sources, — she recalls.
To counter Russian influence, the Ukrainian Embassy and local Ukrainian community actively organize events to share Kyiv’s perspective. On 24 February 2025, diplomats in Accra marked the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion by hosting a screening of short films about the consequences of the war. Tetiana, a volunteer who supports Ukrainian soldiers by delivering essential supplies, also spoke at the event.
— The realities of war are harsh. You stand with soldiers, hug them, and then move 15 kilometers away. Moments later, they call you: “We’re under fire.” When you return, there’s no one left—everyone has been killed, — she shared with the audience.
The presence of Ukrainian diplomats in Ghana plays a vital role in countering Russian influence and building Ukraine’s image in Africa. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Kyiv has opened 10 new embassies across the continent.
Despite Ukraine’s diplomatic push in Africa, its missions remain understaffed. Ghana has yet to appoint an Ambassador, and the Ukrainian mission in Accra currently consists of only two diplomats—a Chargé d’Affaires and a consul. Political analyst Dr. Yuriy Oliynyk explains that staffing these embassies is a challenge due to the distance and personal preferences of diplomats.
— Many diplomats prefer postings in Europe, closer to home, rather than spending several years in a distant country. Additionally, selecting an Ambassador requires approval from both Ukraine and the host country, which can take time, — he says.
Despite these challenges, the Ukrainian diplomatic mission in Ghana has successfully established a strong presence. It provides consular services, supports businesses, and promotes Ukrainian culture. One of the Embassy’s cultural initiatives is the annual Shevchenko Days in Accra, where participants recite poetry by Ukraine’s most famous writer, Taras Shevchenko.
For Ghanaian businessman Joshua, who has learned Ukrainian over the years, these events are particularly meaningful.
At the end of his conversation with a GhanaWeb correspondent, he recited a well-known Ukrainian poem, “Prayer for Ukraine”: “God, great and one, save Ukraine for us.”
By: Grigorii Pyrlik, Contributor
