It was a somber moment when the two Ghanaian prisoners of war arrested in Ukraine met with the Ghanaian delegation led by Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The two whose identities have been concealed for obvious reasons showed grave remorse and pleaded with Ghanaians to forgive them for bringing dishonor to the country, their families and even to Ukraine which they described as a friendly country.
They asked the Mr Ablakwa to continue efforts aimed at securing their release to return to Ghana.
“We’re sorry for what happened. Ghana has a good reputation everywhere we go, so it was bad for us to fight against a country which has been friendly to Ghana.
“Please forgive us and tell Ghanaians to forgive us. We have put Ghana’s name in a bad light by involving ourselves in this fight…” they pleaded.
Sharing their testimonies with the delegation, one of the men, Yaw-not his real name, noted that with his past experience as an evacuation officer when he was in Dubai, he was asked to join the Russian army to help with evacuation efforts,
A few months later, he was pushed to the battle front to fight against Ukraine. He indicated that it was on one of such missions that his vehicle was bombed by a Ukrainian drone missile which killed three people and left shrapnels in his body. He was later captured by the Ukrainians but has been treated humanely.
The second man, Kwaku -not his real name, said he surrendered voluntarily to the Ukrainians after he was given arms to go to the frontline. He said upon reaching the battlefield he knew he was doing the wrong thing by fighting the Ukrainians so he abandoned his weapons, raised his hands and walked straight to the Ukrainian side where he was captured.
Both men expressed appreciation to the Foreign Affairs Minister and the Government of Ghana for traveling all the way to plead for their release and most importantly to visit them in captivity.
They pledged to use their misfortune to caution other young Ghanaians who may be lured to fight in a conflict that does not benefit them in any way or could get them killed.
Mr Ablakwa said Ghana will use every available means to help secure their return, adding that the country has forgiven them hence their decision to come to Ukraine and visit them.
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky assured Ghana of releasing their nationals but cautioned against more young Africans joining the war.
The Ukrainian Government bemoaned the increasing number of Africans involved in the fight urging Ghana and other African nations to step up efforts to prevent their citizens from engaging in the protracted war which entered its fourth year on Feb 24, 2026.
Over 1,700 Africans from 36 countries have been recruited by Russia through dubious means to fight against Ukraine.
Many have died, others captured and many more injured.
By: Martin Asiedu-Dartey, Kyiv, Ukraine
