Ghana News
1,400 Africans Recruited, 55 Ghanaians Killed: New Report Exposes Deadly Russian Recruitment Network Targeting Africa
A sweeping new investigation has documented that at least 1,417 African nationals were recruited to fight for the Russian army in Ukraine between January 2023 and September 2025.
The figure includes 55 Ghanaians confirmed killed in the conflict, exposing a covert and deadly network exploiting vulnerable young people across the continent.
The findings are contained in a report titled “The Business of Despair,” published in February 2026 by the Swiss-based investigative group INPACT, in collaboration with the All Eyes on Wagner project.
The report provides the most detailed evidence to date of what it calls a “deliberate and organized strategy” by Moscow to address personnel shortages by exploiting socio-economic vulnerabilities across Africa.
The Scale of the Operation
According to the investigation, Cameroonian nationals suffered the highest number of confirmed deaths at 94, followed by Ghanaians with 55, and Egyptians with 52.
In total, INPACT documented 316 African recruits killed in action, though researchers warn the actual figure is likely significantly higher.
The report is based on verified files containing the names, dates of birth, military registration numbers, contract signing dates, and units of affiliation for 1,417 African nationals who signed contracts with the Russian army. A separate list details those killed, including their recorded date of death and months of service before being killed.
INPACT investigators verified the authenticity of the lists by cross-referencing digital traces, including social media postings left by the purported recruits.
How the Recruitment Network Operates
The investigation reveals a sophisticated transnational network exploiting young Africans’ aspirations for education, employment, and migration.
“Recruitment tactics target young people aspiring to pursue higher education abroad, particularly in fields presented as strategic; job seekers eager for economic opportunities; and candidates for irregular migration to Europe, for whom Russia is presented as an alternative route,” the report states .
The infrastructure includes travel agencies operating as logistical intermediaries, local pro-Russian individuals and organisations, and co-optation networks where former recruits become recruiters themselves. Bogus job offers, promises of scholarships, and administrative regularisation are common lures.
In some cases, victims pay significant sums—between $13,000 and $18,000 in documented Kenyan cases—to foreign companies purportedly handling visa processing and travel logistics.
‘Cannon Fodder’ on the Front Lines
Once in Russia, recruits face a brutal reality. Instead of civilian employment, they are funnelled into military service and deployed to Ukraine, often with minimal training.
INPACT’s research indicates that African recruits are integrated into assault waves designed to overwhelm Ukrainian defensive lines, contributing to a strategy of attrition . The mortality rate is staggering: of the documented recruits, 316 died in combat—on average, within six months of arrival. Fifty-one Africans died within a month of reaching the front.
Kenyan junior foreign minister Abraham Korir Sing’Oei has publicly stated that Russia is using the recruits as “cannon fodder” at the front.
Testimonies gathered by investigators paint a harrowing picture. A Nigerian recruit, Bankole Manchi, described being transported to a military camp upon arrival in Moscow alongside recruits from Ghana, France, Brazil, and China. “Once you enter the camp, there is no going back,” he recalled. After training, they were deployed under cover of darkness and found themselves inside Ukrainian territory under heavy fire.
A widely viewed video posted online showed a Kenyan recruit named Francis with an anti-tank mine strapped to his chest, as a Russian soldier hurled racist slurs and said he would be used as a “can opener” to breach Ukrainian lines.
Promises Never Kept
Recruits were enticed with offers that never materialized. Advertisements promised initial cash payments of US$2,000 to US$30,000 and monthly salaries of US$2,000 to US$5,000, plus health insurance and Russian citizenship. In many African countries, these represent enormous sums.
At least one Russian operator, posing as a visa agent in Kenyan social media groups, boasted privately to an INPACT investigator that he was a member of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) — the former KGB.
African Governments Begin to Respond
The revelations have prompted action from some African governments, raising questions about Ghana’s official response.
Kenya’s foreign minister Musalia Mudavadi has announced he will travel to Moscow to address the cases of dozens of Kenyan nationals. Kenyan authorities have arrested and arraigned recruitment agents, and a Russian businessman linked to the network was deported.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa raised the issue directly with Vladimir Putin in a February 11 phone call, seeking the repatriation of 17 South African citizens. Five South Africans, including a state broadcaster radio host, are currently on trial for allegedly violating anti-mercenary laws by recruiting citizens for the Russian army.
Cameroon has also signaled measures to prevent citizen enlistment in external conflicts.
Questions for Ghana
With 55 confirmed Ghanaian casualties—the second-highest on the continent—the report raises urgent questions for Ghanaian authorities:
- What is the government’s level of awareness regarding these recruitment networks operating within or targeting Ghana?
- What steps are being taken to identify and dismantle any local recruitment infrastructure?
- How is the government supporting the families of deceased victims and seeking the return of any surviving Ghanaians still trapped in the conflict zone?
- What diplomatic representations, if any, have been made to Russian authorities?
As of the time of publication, official responses from Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of the Interior have not been publicly detailed.
A Continental Crisis
The INPACT investigation reveal a broader crisis: the exploitation of Africa’s youth by shadowy networks operating with impunity across borders.
“Economic hardship across Africa is being exploited by shadowy recruitment networks, with young men particularly vulnerable to being drawn into foreign wars under the guise of employment,” the report warns.
Recruitment postings continue to appear on official platforms. INPACT flagged advertisements on a Kenyan government job site seeking 84 livestock managers and 11 butchers for the Russia/Kazakhstan region—positions requiring master’s degrees in animal nutrition and bachelor’s degrees in veterinary science for work described as pig farming and butchery.
“The ads share similarities: a two-year contract and a salary of 60,000 RUB (approximately US$660 monthly). Clicking on the offers confirms that they are only for positions in Russia,” the report notes.
‘The Business of Despair’
INPACT’s report concludes that the recruitment networks have generated “a commercial ecosystem that has created opportunities for individuals and businesses to enrich themselves from human misery”.
For the families of the 55 Ghanaian nationals confirmed killed—and for unknown others whose deaths remain undocumented—that misery is now a permanent reality.
The full INPACT report, “The Business of Despair,” is available through the organization’s website. The investigation continues to document cases and track recruitment networks across the continent.
London / Accra – March 2, 2026 – As Ghana marks its 69th Independence Day, the UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Ghana has launched the “UK Black Stars” initiative—a new recognition program honoring the most impactful and influential British-Ghanaians shaping life across Britain.
In a video message shared on social media and parliamentary channels, the APPG Chair, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, declared:
“Ghana turns 69 and here in the United Kingdom people of Ghanaian heritage aren’t just celebrating, we’re building.”
The campaign highlights the dual identity and excellence of the British-Ghanaian community, from boardrooms and courtrooms to classrooms, hospitals, labs, and creative industries.
The launch spotlights high-profile figures already making waves, including:
- Jason Arday (University of Cambridge academic)
- Afua Hirsch (journalist, author, broadcaster)
- June Sarpong (media executive)
- Adjoa Andoh (Bridgerton actress)
- Fuse ODG, Raye, and Stormzy (music artists)
- Lord Paul Boateng (one of the first Black MPs in Britain)
- Afua Kyei (Bank of England)
- Barbara Mills KC (Bar Council)
- Michelle Agyemang (footballer)
The APPG stated that these are just the beginning. “Excellence is everywhere,” the statement continued, calling for nominations of doctors, entrepreneurs, artists, young leaders, and community changemakers who embody British-Ghanaian pride and contribution.
Nominations are now open via ukblackstars.com. The initiative aims to amplify visibility, celebrate dual heritage, and demonstrate the positive impact of the diaspora on UK society while reinforcing ties with Ghana.
The launch coincides with Ghana’s 69th Independence Day celebrations worldwide and reflects growing recognition of diaspora contributions to both host nations and the homeland.
The APPG for Ghana continues to advocate for stronger bilateral ties, trade, education, and cultural exchange between the UK and Ghana.
Ghana News
Court Slaps Barker-Vormawor with GH₵5m for Defaming Kan Dapaah and Other Trending Topics in Ghana (March 2, 2026)
Welcome to our rolling news update from Ghana, delivering timely insights and developments as they break. Return often as we continue to add the latest stories.
Court Slaps Barker-Vormawor with GH₵5m in Favour of Kan Dapaah for Defamation
The High Court in Accra has awarded GH₵5 million in general damages to former National Security Minister Albert Kan Dapaah against Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the former convener of the FixTheCountry Movement, for defamation. The ruling, delivered on March 2, 2026, also includes GH₵100,000 in costs. Justice (Rev.) Joseph Owusu Adu-Agyeman granted all reliefs claimed by Kan Dapaah except reducing the compensation from GH₵10 million to GH₵5 million. The case stemmed from Barker-Vormawor’s allegations of a $1 million bribery offer involving Kan Dapaah and government officials to halt activism. The court dismissed Barker-Vormawor’s application to relist his struck-out Statement of Defence and Witness Statement, deeming it irregular.
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Barker-Vormawor Vows to Challenge GH₵5.1m Kan Dapaah Defamation Judgment
Oliver Barker-Vormawor has announced plans to challenge the High Court’s March 2, 2026, ruling awarding GH₵5 million in damages and GH₵100,000 in costs to Albert Kan Dapaah for defamation. In a Facebook post, Barker-Vormawor cited procedural irregularities, including the court’s refusal to allow completion of cross-examination, striking out his defence after an adjournment due to his lawyer’s new appointment as Deputy Attorney General, and not considering his filed witness statement. He stated, “Of course we will seek to set it aside. But he can take his victory lap,” and invited the public to review his unconsidered witness statement. The judgment granted all of Kan Dapaah’s reliefs except reducing the claim from GH₵10 million to GH₵5 million.
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Presidential Wardrobe: Mahama’s Repeated Smock at SONA – Coincidence or a Statement?
President John Dramani Mahama’s choice to wear the same traditional handwoven smock (fugu/batakari) with bold vertical stripes in deep burgundy, brown, mustard yellow, black, and white details for his second consecutive State of the Nation Address (SONA) has sparked discussions on symbolism. The outfit, paired with a matching cap, is seen as representing continuity of his Reset Agenda, consistency of purpose, humility, and pride in Northern Ghanaian heritage. Historian Kwaku Darko Ankrah interprets it as a reassurance of steadfast commitment and resilience, echoing independence-era use of traditional attire for economic and developmental strength. During the SONA, the Minority caucus wore black attire with protest sashes reading “Cocoa farmers are pitiful,” while the Majority wore white signifying unity and support.
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Government Must Liaise with Gulf States to Safeguard Ghanaians – Prof Antwi-Danso
International relations expert Prof Vladimir Antwi-Danso has urged the Ghanaian government to coordinate with Gulf states and partners to ensure the safety and potential evacuation of nationals amid flight cancellations and air travel disruptions caused by escalating Middle East tensions. Speaking on JoyNews’ The Probe on March 1, 2026, he recommended diplomatic and consular actions, real-time updates for families, and work within the UN framework for de-escalation. The call follows regional instability, including missile threats and airspace closures, stranding Ghanaians and highlighting risks to citizens abroad.
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US/Israel Attack: Iranian Ambassador to Ghana Slams ‘State Terrorism’; Violation of the UN Charter
Iran’s Ambassador to Ghana, Ali Ghomshi, has condemned the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran as “cowardly assassination” and “state terrorism,” violating international law and the UN Charter (Article 2, Paragraph 4). In a statement on March 2, 2026, he described attacks on civilian infrastructure—including hospitals, Red Crescent facilities, schools, and a girls’ school in Minab where over 150 children were martyred—during Ramadan and Nowruz as war crimes. Iran vows a “lawful and decisive” response and calls on the UN, Islamic nations, and Non-Aligned Movement to act against the aggression. Ghomshi emphasized Iran’s resilience, internal cohesion, and right to self-defense, paying tribute to Supreme Leader Khamenei as a symbol of resistance and assuring no power vacuum.
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Ghanaian Residents in Qatar Urged to Register for Emergency Preparedness Amid Regional Tensions
The Embassy of Ghana in Doha has urgently called on all Ghanaian nationals in Qatar to register immediately with the mission as part of ongoing emergency preparedness measures amid heightened tensions and unrest in the Middle East. The registration, accessible via an online form, will enable the embassy to communicate effectively, provide assistance, and coordinate evacuation arrangements if necessary. All information submitted will be treated with strict confidentiality and used solely for official consular and emergency purposes. The advisory follows recent regional hostilities, including missile and drone activity affecting Gulf countries, and complements earlier shelter-in-place guidance. Ghanaians in Qatar—including students, workers, families, and visitors—are encouraged to complete the form promptly.
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Mother and Three Children Drown in Abandoned Galamsey Pit at Wassa Dankwa
A tragic incident in the Amenfi West Municipality of the Western Region claimed the lives of a 42-year-old woman and her three sons after they drowned in an abandoned illegal mining (galamsey) pit at Wassa Dunkwa on Saturday afternoon. The family had gone to collect firewood from dried cocoa trees near the site—a common practice among residents—when the children decided to swim in the water-filled pit. The mother rushed to rescue them but was unable to save them or herself. Bodies were retrieved and conveyed to the morgue at Catholic Hospital in Asankragwa. Police at Asankrangwa have commenced investigations. The incident renews concerns about the persistent dangers posed by unregulated and abandoned galamsey pits in many communities across the Western Region.
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‘I Dreamt of My Father Awaiting Judgment’ — Mahama Recalls Teen Nightmares
President John Dramani Mahama shared a deeply personal reflection on his teenage years during the opening of the 2026 Judicial Year of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, Tanzania, on March 2, 2026. He recounted recurring nightmares about his father— a minister in Kwame Nkrumah’s government—standing before judges awaiting judgment after detention following the 1966 coup. Mahama described how his father was interrogated, held for over a year, and later faced renewed risk during the 1974 Acheampong coup despite being a private rice farmer. In a letter to Acheampong, his father offered unsolicited advice: “Do not hold on to power for too long. Leave when the applause is the loudest.” The President said these experiences shaped his understanding of the dangers of challenging power and the importance of justice, stating: “Although I stand before you as a head of state, I remain the child whose father was detained for serving his country and advising its leader.” The anecdote underscored themes of human rights, impunity, and judicial independence.
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Ghana Maintains Over 5 Weeks of Fuel Stock Amid Middle East Tensions – NPA Assures
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has reassured Ghanaians that the country has sufficient fuel reserves despite escalating tensions in the Middle East, including the recent Israel-Iran conflict and threats to the Strait of Hormuz. As of last Friday (February 27, 2026), diesel stocks are projected to last over 5 weeks (approximately 5.3 weeks), while petrol stocks can sustain nearly 6.8 weeks. NPA Director of Economic Regulation and Planning Abass Ibrahim Tasunti, speaking on JoyNews’ The Probe on March 1, 2026, attributed the robust buffer to regular import mandates, daily product discharges, production from the Sentuo oil refinery (operational since June 2025), and the Atuabo gas processing plant for LPG. He emphasized continuous monitoring and planned imports to prevent disruptions, stating, “Even without this war, we always ensure that we have a plan to make petroleum products available for consumers in the country.” Vessels with diesel and petrol cargoes are already at Tema anchorage, with more scheduled.
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Three Arrested for Beating Liberian National to Death in Sakumono
Three suspects—Francis Amuzu (44), William Adison (36), and Vincent Adzikah (34)—have been arrested by Sakumono District Patrol Team after a mob beat a 26-year-old Liberian national, Austin Tengeeh, to death near the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) facility at Lashibi in Sakumono, Greater Accra Region, on February 27, 2026. The victim was mistaken for a thief. Police responded to a distress call, found him unconscious with assault marks, and rushed him to Sakumono Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body is at the hospital morgue, and diplomatic protocols are being followed. The National Police Headquarters’ Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team is pursuing additional suspects. Investigations continue.
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10 Confirmed Dead, 30 Critical After Manso Tontokrom Mine Cave-In
A cave-in at an illegal mining site (galamsey) in Manso Tontokrom, Ashanti Region, has claimed 10 lives, with 30 others in critical condition as of March 2, 2026. Emergency teams are intensifying rescue operations, with an unspecified number still believed trapped underground. Injured victims have been transported to Hwidiem Hospital. Officials have not disclosed the exact cause or total number of miners present at the time, but investigations are underway to determine the circumstances. The incident highlights ongoing safety risks in unregulated small-scale mining operations.
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President Mahama Arrives in Tanzania for African Court’s 20th Anniversary
President John Dramani Mahama arrived at Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania on March 1, 2026, to participate in the 20th anniversary celebrations of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Court of Justice and Human Rights in Arusha. He will deliver the keynote address at the solemn opening of the 2026 Judicial Year on March 2, themed “20 Years of Service in Protecting Human and Peoples’ Rights in Africa,” at Kibo Hall. Accompanied by senior officials including Presidential Advisor Joyce Bawa Mogtari and Legal Advisor Marietta Brew, his visit underscores Ghana’s commitment to the rule of law, human rights, and African Union judicial institutions. He was received by Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, Ghana’s High Commissioner to Kenya Paul Evans Aidoo, and Supreme Court Judge Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei.
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TikToker Arrested for Spreading False Claims About Kumasi Police Officers
Isaac Boafo, a 45-year-old TikTok content creator known as “Duabo King,” has been arrested by the Police Intelligence Directorate (Ashanti Region) for publishing false information. He alleged on TikTok that four officers at the Central Police Station in Kumasi engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with commercial sex workers during night patrols at Asafo. During interrogation, Boafo admitted fabricating the claims to gain views and engagement, and also confessed to making unverified comments about the President for similar reasons. He was formally charged and detained pending further investigations. The Ashanti Regional Police Command, in a March 1, 2026, press release signed by Deputy Superintendent of Police Godwin Ahianyo, warned that such conduct will be dealt with according to law.
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Diplomatic Reset: President Mahama Appoints Baba Sadiq High Commissioner-Designate to Nigeria
President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Baba Sadiq Abdulai Abu as Ghana’s High Commissioner-designate to Nigeria, as announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 1, 2026. The move signals a diplomatic reset in Ghana-Nigeria relations under the Mahama administration. Baba Sadiq, a prominent figure in Ghana’s creative and media industries, recently served as the National Democratic Congress parliamentary candidate for Okaikwei Central in the 2024 elections. The appointment follows the recall of previous envoy Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed (Baba Jamal) after he contested the Ayawaso East by-election amid allegations of voter inducement in NDC primaries. Ghana and Nigeria share deep historical, cultural, and economic ties, though relations have faced challenges from trade disputes, migration concerns, and regulatory issues affecting businesses.
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32-Year-Old Missing Woman Reportedly Killed in Road Crash
A 32-year-old woman who went missing after booking a ride-hailing trip to Kumasi Airport on Thursday, February 26, 2026, has reportedly died in a road accident. The Uber vehicle, traveling at high speed in the early hours (around 4–5 a.m.), crashed into a broken-down bus parked in the middle of the road. An eyewitness rushed the woman and the driver to hospital; she succumbed to her injuries, while the driver survived but remains in a coma. Further details on the exact crash location or family response were not immediately available, and police involvement is not yet confirmed.
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Return often as we continue to add the latest stories.
Monday, March 2, 2026. Stay informed with today’s front pages of Ghanaian newspapers, all in one place.
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