Sixty-two Ghanaians have died while 15 others remain missing after being lured to Russia and allegedly recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed the figures following bilateral engagements with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow.
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Mr Ablakwa said Ghana raised the illegal recruitment of Ghanaian youth as a key concern during discussions with the Russian government.
He said the increasing number of Ghanaian deaths makes the situation particularly worrying, stressing the need for urgent measures to prevent more young people from being drawn into the conflict.
According to the Minister, some Ghanaian youth are being lured to Russia under circumstances that eventually lead to them taking part in the war.
He welcomed a pledge by the Russian Government to work with Ghana to stop the illegal enlistment of Ghanaian nationals.
Mr Ablakwa said the Ghanaian government will continue its advocacy and diplomatic efforts to protect young Ghanaians from being recruited into the conflict.
“This is not our war and it should not be claiming Ghanaian lives,” he said.
The government is expected to continue engaging the Russian authorities as efforts intensify to halt the recruitment of Ghanaian youth and establish the whereabouts of those still missing.
The latest figures bring renewed attention to the risks facing young Ghanaians who may be lured abroad with promises of employment or other opportunities, only to find themselves caught up in a foreign conflict.
