Ghana-Russia talks on mercenary recruitment

During a three-day official visit to Moscow, Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa held bilateral talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on August 17, 2026. Ablakwa disclosed that 62 Ghanaians have been killed and 15 are missing in connection with the Russia-Ukraine war, a sharp increase from the previously reported 55 deaths. He raised concerns about the illegal recruitment of Ghanaian youth into the conflict, describing them as victims of deceptive job offers and criminal trafficking networks. Lavrov rejected the characterization of illegal recruitment, stating that Ghanaian nationals signed voluntary contracts with Russia's Ministry of Defence. He agreed to cooperate with Ghana to address the issue. The talks also covered expanded trade, investment, and nuclear energy cooperation, with Russia doubling its annual scholarship allocation for Ghanaian students from 120 to 240. Ghana's government has launched investigations into recruitment networks and continues advocacy efforts to protect its citizens.