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Russia and Ghana have discussed bilateral ties, trade and concerns over the recruitment of Ghanaian citizens for Russia’s war in Ukraine during talks in Moscow on Monday.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met his Ghanaian counterpart, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, as both sides discussed trade, investment, and developments in Africa. Ablakwa said Ghana had recorded increased trade with Russia and was also diversifying beyond its traditional exports.
The talks also touched on Ghanaian nationals believed to have been recruited as foreign mercenaries to fight for Russia in the Ukraine war.
Lavrov said Russia’s Defence Ministry was reviewing requests from Ghana concerning missing foreign mercenaries.
He added that the ministry had received similar requests from other countries and was handling them through a special department.
The Russian minister did not provide details on how many Ghanaian nationals were involved or their current status.
The meeting came as Ghana has raised concerns over reports of its citizens being recruited to participate in Russia’s war against Ukraine. The two ministers also discussed tensions between Russia and Japan over the disputed Kuril Islands.
Lavrov accused Japan of having “crossed the bounds of decency” by objecting to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Russian-controlled islands.
Japan claims the four southernmost islands, which it calls the Northern Territories. The Soviet Union seized the islands from Japan in the final days of World War Two. The territorial dispute has prevented Russia and Japan from formally signing a peace treaty.
