Russia has agreed to stop recruiting Ghanaian nationals to fight in its war against Ukraine following diplomatic discussions between Presidents Vladimir Putin and John Mahama.

Accra said Putin gave the assurance during the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, after Mahama raised concerns about the recruitment of Ghanaian citizens.

Accra had previously accused recruiters of misleading citizens with promises of employment and other opportunities before sending them to the battlefield. By mid-August, more than 270 Ghanaians had reportedly fought for Russia, with at least 62 killed and another 15 missing, figures that underscore the human cost of the recruitment drive that prompted Ghana’s diplomatic protest.

The proposed ban will cover both irregular recruitment and voluntary enlistment, according to the agreement. Ghana is among several African countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon, and The Gambia, that have raised concerns about their citizens being recruited to fight in Ukraine, making the issue a broader point of tension in Africa-Russia relations.

The assurance from Putin came during the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, where Mahama raised concerns about the recruitment of Ghanaian citizens directly with the Russian president. Accra’s account of the discussions points to a diplomatic resolution to a dispute that had grown increasingly urgent as casualties mounted. With more than 270 Ghanaians reportedly having fought for Russia by mid-August, at least 62 killed and another 15 missing, the human toll had made the issue a priority for Ghana’s government.

The proposed ban covering both irregular recruitment and voluntary enlistment responds to Accra’s earlier accusations that recruiters misled citizens with promises of employment and other opportunities before sending them to the battlefield. Ghana’s concerns are shared by several other African countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon, and The Gambia, all of which have raised similar worries about their citizens being recruited to fight in Ukraine.