The European Union has cautioned against the recruitment of Ghanaians into the Russia-Ukraine War, stressing that the conflict does not concern Ghana and should not involve its citizens.

Speaking at the signing of a security and defence partnership between the EU and Ghana on Tuesday, March 24, the High Representative and Vice President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, condemned the practice, describing Russia’s recruitment of Africans as unethical.

She warned that the war poses a serious threat not only to Europe but also to African countries, including Ghana, citing its adverse economic impact across both regions.

“Russia’s war is a threat to Europe and also has consequences beyond its borders, including in Ghana. Beyond Russia’s unethical recruitment of African nationals, it places economic hardship on citizens. Your people should not be lured into a war that is not theirs,” Kallas said.

Her comments follow remarks by Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who revealed that 55 Ghanaians have been killed in the ongoing conflict after allegedly being lured into the war by criminal recruitment networks.

He also disclosed that 1,780 Africans from 36 countries had been trafficked to fight in the war against Ukraine.

According to him, about 272 Ghanaians are believed to have been recruited into the conflict since 2022, with an estimated 55 killed and two currently held as prisoners of war.