Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa Holds High-Level Talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Release of Two Ghanaian POWs
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has concluded high-level discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, centering on urgent humanitarian appeals for the release of two Ghanaian citizens detained as prisoners of war in Ukraine.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, February 25, Minister Ablakwa described the meeting as “gracious” and “fruitful,” confirming that the primary focus was Ghana’s appeal on humanitarian grounds for the two nationals held in connection with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“We held fruitful discussions focused on Ghana’s appeal on humanitarian grounds for the release of two of our citizens being held as prisoners of war in Ukraine,” he wrote. He expressed optimism about the outcome, stating: “I am optimistic that we shall be successful in our negotiations.”
The talks also addressed the escalating threat of human trafficking networks that exploit vulnerable young Africans by luring them into conflict zones with false job promises. Minister Ablakwa highlighted the bilateral commitment to combat these networks:
“Our bilateral talks explored how our two countries can effectively combat the threat posed by trafficking networks who lure vulnerable unsuspecting youth from Africa only to end up risking their lives in the ongoing war.”
He conveyed formal gratitude from President John Dramani Mahama and the Government of Ghana to President Zelenskyy for ensuring the detained citizens’ rights are protected in line with international humanitarian law.
“I have conveyed the gratitude of President Mahama and the Government of Ghana to President Zelenskyy for ensuring that the rights of our citizens being held are protected as required under international law,” Ablakwa noted.
Beyond the immediate POW issue, the meeting agreed to deepen cooperation in key areas including agriculture, defence, education, and trade. In a significant diplomatic gesture, President Zelenskyy extended a formal invitation to President Mahama to visit Kyiv, signalling Ukraine’s interest in elevating bilateral ties with Ghana.
The development marks a high-profile engagement amid growing concerns over the recruitment of young Africans into foreign conflicts through deceptive means. Ghanaian authorities have repeatedly warned citizens against fraudulent job offers that lead to dangerous war zones, with several cases of trafficked nationals reported in recent years.
Minister Ablakwa’s visit underscores Ghana’s active diplomacy in securing the welfare of its citizens abroad and reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen relations with Ukraine despite the complexities of the ongoing war. Further updates on the progress of negotiations for the release of the two Ghanaians are anticipated in the coming days.
