UKRAINE INVITES ABLAKWA TO KYIV, GRANTS ACCESS TO DETAINED GHANAIAN CITIZEN
Foreign Minister to visit Ukraine in February 2026; Ghanaian diplomats allowed access to citizen captured while fighting for Russian mercenary group.
Ukraine has formally invited Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to visit Kyiv in February 2026 and has granted Ghanaian diplomats access to a detained citizen captured while reportedly fighting as a Russian mercenary in the ongoing conflict.
The announcement came via social media from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Wednesday, following Ghana’s diplomatic request for the return of its national. Sybiha stated that Ghanaian officials would be granted access to prisoners of war in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Minister Ablakwa confirmed that Ukrainian authorities officially notified Ghana of the arrest and that the detainee’s nationality and identity have been verified. Preliminary investigations indicate the Ghanaian arrived in Moscow on July 7, 2024, where he reportedly signed a contract to join the 2nd Assault Company of the 71st Motorised Rifle Regiment under the Russian military before being captured in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Ablakwa has already met with Ukraine’s Acting Ambassador to Ghana, Ivan Lukachuk, and dispatched a special diplomatic message to Kyiv. He plans to travel to Ukraine in the coming weeks to advance negotiations for the detainee’s release.
Sybiha expressed Ukraine’s readiness for constructive engagement, stating, “We look forward to engaging with the Ghanaian side in a spirit of friendship and mutual respect.”
Source:NKONKONSA.com
