Ghanaian diplomats to access captured citizens during Ukraine visit - FM Sybiha

This was stated by Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha at a joint press conference with Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in Kyiv, according to a Ukrinform correspondent.

The head of Ukrainian diplomacy said that during today's talks, the parties separately and frankly discussed the issue of returning to the Republic of Ghana prisoners of war who were captured by Ukrainian defenders. In this context, Sybiha stressed that Ukraine strictly adheres to the norms of international humanitarian law, in particular the provisions of the Geneva Conventions on the treatment of prisoners of war.

“We have informed our Ghanaian colleagues about the conditions of detention of prisoners of war and the relevant legal procedures, and we will ensure that Ghanaian diplomats have access to Ghanaian citizens during this visit,” the minister said.

He also confirmed the Ukrainian side's readiness to cooperate in resolving this issue in accordance with international law and in coordination with the competent authorities of Ukraine.

At the same time, Sybiha called on the Ghanaian side to take more active public measures to prevent the recruitment of citizens of African countries into Russia's occupation army.

“The Russians are dragging Ghanaians to their deaths, while Ukraine offers cooperation for the sake of life, for the sake of opportunities in education and mutually beneficial projects,” the Ukrainian foreign minister stressed.

As reported by Ukrinform, Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday, February 25, for the first visit in the history of bilateral relations.

Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Ukraine had taken note of Ghana's appeal for the return of its citizen, who was captured in the combat zone as a Russian mercenary, and invited the foreign minister of that country to visit Ukraine in February.