Ghana has begun a nationwide crackdown on illegal recruitment networks after confirming that at least 55 of its citizens have been killed while fighting for Russia in the ongoing Russia–Ukraine War.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed the development during a visit to Kyiv, describing the victims as individuals deceived by criminal trafficking syndicates through manipulation and false job promises.
According to Ghanaian authorities, at least 272 Ghanaians have travelled to Russia since 2022 after being promised lucrative civilian employment opportunities.
Instead, many were reportedly forced into military contracts and deployed to combat zones on the frontlines of the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials say the problem extends beyond Ghana, revealing that more than 1,780 Africans from 36 countries have been recruited into Russia’s military ranks.
Monitoring groups allege that recruiters exploit economic hardship across Africa to enlist young men into the conflict, often with minimal training and under dangerous conditions.
Countries including Egypt, Cameroon, and Kenya have also recorded similar cases, with some recruits allegedly used as “human shields” during combat operations.
In response, African governments are intensifying legal and diplomatic actions. Ghanaian authorities are now tracking recruiters operating through encrypted platforms and the dark web, while Kenya has already prosecuted a suspected human trafficking figure linked to the recruitment of over 1,000 citizens.
South Africa is also investigating alleged political connections to the recruitment schemes.
Officials say the growing number of casualties has transformed the war from a distant geopolitical crisis into a domestic humanitarian concern for several African nations.
“This is not our war,” Ablakwa stressed, highlighting the emotional and social toll on families across the continent as governments move to dismantle recruitment networks and prevent further exploitation.
