Ukraine War: 14 Ghanaians Allegedly Baited to Enlist as Russia Volunteers

Five months after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration warned Ghanaian populace about job offers in the conflict-prone zones, 14 have fallen victim in Russia and are pleading for assistance in securing their return home.

They say their passports were taken from them upon arrival in Russia.

Now reduced to three and camped in Donetsk in Ukraine under the strict surveillance of military men, they fear they might not make it out alive.

Out of the 11 who have so far been taken to the war zone, only one managed to establish contact with them.

A BBC report indicates that 70,112 Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine since the beginning of the war, though it believes the number could be considerably higher.

Out of that, 13,781 were volunteers. This number, however, does not include foreigners.

Bait
According to a report by TV3’s Godwin Asediba, the young men full of potential and life departed the country through Togo on August 4, 2024. They arrived in Russia on August 6 following a job offer allegedly promised by Abraham Boakye, popularly known as One Man Supporter.

In a video call with the victims, one alleged that Abraham promised them job opportunities in the agricultural and security sectors in Russia and led them into the country.

“Abraham Boakye brought us here. He told us there is a job opportunity over here in Russia which is security and agricultural work. So we paid for our own plane ticket and visa fees. The military people brought us a contract to sign. Before that, he {Abraham} had told us that it was a security work but we would be trained by the military.

“So when the military people brought the contract we thought it was about the training we had been promised. The day we were signing the contract, he was not around. He was in Moscow so we called him and told him we had been given a contract to sign and asked if we should sign because he brought us here. Then he said we should.”

Plea
Currently, the remaining three have no idea where they are being held in Donetsk. They guess like the others, they may be taken out to the frontline.

“Just yesterday, they came for two of us. They were sent to the frontline and as of now, we have not heard from them. The military follows us everywhere.”

They are pleading with the Ghanaian government to rescue them.

“We plead for help to get out of here. We didn’t come here to do this. We were promised security and agriculture jobs.”

Another added, “We have no skill in fighting and so we plead with you to come rescue us. We beg.”

Warning
In a press statement in March 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration cautioned the public against accepting job offers and citizenship permits in conflict-prone countries.

It advised Ghanaians to prioritise their safety and well-being when offered jobs in regions with potential risks of conscription and armed conflict.

“In light of ongoing conflicts and the risk of conscription in certain countries or regions around the world, travellers are strongly advised to exercise caution and carefully consider their travel plans.”

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration wishes to caution the travelling public to be wary of the activities of middlemen/agents who purport to have the ability to secure citizenship, resident permits and job offers in conflict areas and countries at war as these journeys are perilous and often have dire consequences.”

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini