Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa: “Last night I was given a rare access to the highly fortified security camp where prisoners of war are being detained in Ukraine.

“I thank President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha for granting my request to visit the two Ghanaian prisoners of war.

“I can confirm that our citizens are alive and well. Their rights under international law have been commendably respected by Ukrainian authorities.

“I appreciate that my request was quite unusual and the first of its kind from an African Foreign Minister, as I was informed — I am therefore immensely grateful that our request was not declined in affirmation of our cordial bilateral relations.

“This significant gesture gives me more confidence that our negotiations for their release will be successful.

“It is refreshing to hear our two compatriots (identities concealed for good reason) say that they are determined to become advocates against the modus operandi of trafficking networks and willing to devote the rest of their lives educating vulnerable Africans how to avoid such predicaments.”