Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed that he was received by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an official visit to Ukraine, where discussions focused on securing the release of two Ghanaian citizens being held as prisoners of war.
In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, Mr. Ablakwa described the meeting as gracious and the discussions as fruitful. He said Ghana formally appealed on humanitarian grounds for the release of the detained nationals.
According to the Minister, the bilateral talks also addressed the growing threat of human trafficking networks targeting vulnerable African youth. He warned that many unsuspecting young people are lured abroad with false promises, only to find themselves caught up in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
“Our bilateral talks explored how our two countries can effectively combat the threat posed by trafficking networks who lure vulnerable unsuspecting youth from Africa only to end up risking their lives in the ongoing war,” he stated.
Mr. Ablakwa expressed optimism about the outcome of the negotiations, indicating confidence that continued diplomatic engagement would produce positive results.
He also conveyed the appreciation of President John Dramani Mahama and the Government of Ghana to President Zelenskyy for ensuring that the rights of the Ghanaian detainees are being protected in line with international law.
Beyond the humanitarian concerns, the two sides agreed to deepen bilateral relations through strategic cooperation in agriculture, defence, education and trade. The engagement marks a notable step in strengthening diplomatic ties between Ghana and Ukraine.
President Zelenskyy has extended a formal invitation to President Mahama to visit Kyiv, as Ukraine seeks to elevate its diplomatic engagement with Accra.
Reaffirming government’s commitment to protecting its citizens, Mr. Ablakwa stressed that every Ghanaian life matters to the Mahama Administration, concluding his statement with a patriotic sign-off.
