Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed that Ghana has begun diplomatic engagements with Ukraine to secure the release of a Ghanaian national who is currently being held as a prisoner of war.

In a post on January 3, the Minister said the Ukrainian government formally notified Ghana of the arrest of the national and provided his identity, which has since been verified by Ghanaian authorities. The individual’s name has been withheld.

According to evidence shared with Ghana, the national 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.

He was later deployed to participate in hostilities in the Zaporizhzhia direction of the Russia–Ukraine conflict.

Mr Ablakwa revealed that he met with the Acting Ambassador of Ukraine to Ghana, Ivan Lukachuk, on Thursday, during which he formally appealed for the release of the Ghanaian. He said a special diplomatic message has also been sent to Kyiv, reinforcing Ghana’s request.

The Foreign Affairs Minister further disclosed that he is scheduled to travel to Ukraine in the coming weeks to continue negotiations aimed at securing the national’s freedom.

Ghana, he noted, has objected to the possibility of the detained national being included in a prisoner-of-war exchange between Ukraine and Russia, warning that such a move could further endanger his safety.

“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,” Mr Ablakwa stated.

Beyond the diplomatic effort, the Minister issued a strong warning to Ghanaian youth, urging them to be vigilant against criminal recruitment and human trafficking networks that operate covertly, often through the dark web.

“Please do not fall prey. It is extremely dangerous to get involved in any conflict. You can be killed or captured,” he cautioned.

He reaffirmed the Mahama administration’s commitment to the welfare of all Ghanaians, stressing that the government will continue to act decisively to ensure that no citizen is left in harm’s way.