Captured Ghanaians in Ukraine seek Clemency, vow to promote peace
Two Ghanaian prisoners of war in Ukraine have pleaded for forgiveness from both Ghanaians and Ukrainians for their involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Identified only as Kojo and Kofi, the men were captured by Ukrainian forces last year and are being held at an undisclosed location. During a visit by a government delegation led by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on Thursday, February 26, 2026, the two admitted their decision to join the conflict was misguided and had tarnished Ghana’s reputation as a peaceful nation. They appealed to President John Dramani Mahama and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for clemency.
“We are very sorry for what we did and ask for forgiveness from President Mahama, the people of Ukraine, and their government,” Kojo, a father of one, said. “We know Ghana is known worldwide as a peace-loving country, and we have tarnished that image. We also ask our families to keep us in their prayers.”
Kofi added that if released, they are determined to turn over a new leaf and warn Ghanaian youth about the dangers of war and deceptive recruitment by agents targeting young Africans.
Kojo explained that he was recruited by Russian forces in 2024 due to financial struggles paying university fees. He was promised a signing bonus of 1.9 million roubles and a monthly salary of 200,000 roubles, initially as a fire rescue officer, but was later forced to the combat frontline. While he sent part of his salary home for charitable purposes, his unit was decimated in explosions, leaving him alone before being captured by Ukrainian forces. He continues to suffer from fragments of metal lodged in his body from the blasts.
Kofi, a graphic designer, said he was lured by a Russian police officer and spent the first eight months in non-combat roles before being sent to the frontline. After seeing fellow recruits killed, he fled and surrendered to Ukrainian soldiers. He also noted that many Africans, including over 10 Ghanaians, were recruited under false pretenses of decent jobs, only to end up in the Russian military. Kojo added that recruitment has become lucrative for agents, who reportedly take 30% of each recruit’s salary.
The two confirmed that the Ukrainian camp holds prisoners from other African countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, Burundi, Algeria, Morocco, and Uganda. Ukrainian officials earlier reported that Russia had recruited 1,785 Africans from 36 African countries.
Minister Ablakwa conveyed the government’s forgiveness and assured the prisoners that efforts to secure their release were ongoing. “President Mahama has forgiven you, and so have the people of Ghana. We are working with Ukrainian officials to facilitate your release and reintegration so you can become ambassadors for peace, warning against recruitment of young people into this war,” he said. He also emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting ceasefire efforts to end the recruitment of innocent Africans into the conflict.
He also urged young Ghanaians, particularly those seeking opportunities abroad, to conduct thorough checks before accepting job offers.
The Minister said the government would take decisive measures to dismantle the cartel or syndicate of agents who are endangering the lives of vulnerable Ghanaians on the battlefield, often against their will.
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