A former employee of Bayport Savings and Loans in Adum-Kumasi, Isaac Aboagye Mensah, is reported to have died in Ukraine after joining the Russian army. Isaac, who had previously worked in the banking sector, reportedly succumbed to the trauma of war after witnessing the harsh realities of combat.
The news was shared by social media user @eddie_wrt on X (formerly Twitter), who claimed that Isaac initially traveled to Qatar during the 2022 World Cup before returning briefly to Ghana. He later moved to Russia, where he informed his family of his decision to join the Russian military alongside other Ghanaians. Isaac reportedly kept in touch with his family via WhatsApp, but communication abruptly stopped. According to the account, a fellow Ghanaian soldier in Isaac’s unit eventually reached out to his family, stating that Isaac had died from shock on the battlefield and had been buried.
For the past seven months, Isaac’s family has been left in uncertainty, with no contact or confirmed information regarding his fate. They remain skeptical about the reported death, as they have not received any tangible evidence, such as his remains, to validate the claim. They are now appealing for assistance from relevant authorities to verify the situation.
Screenshots shared by @eddie_wrt include posts allegedly made by Isaac on his Facebook page, along with a WhatsApp voice note in which a voice, purportedly Isaac’s, speaks of sustaining an injury during preparations for training. In a December 11, 2023 post, Isaac reflected on his drastic career change, stating, “The once corporate worker (Banker) has now transmogrified into a chionophile. Eeeeiiii abrabɔ paaa nie?? Aaah well, that’s what Nana Akufo Addo’s government would do to some of us. Nonetheless, that doesn’t connote a plus one (+1) vote for the NDC wae. Sorry to disappoint you.” His words appear to suggest that economic difficulties in Ghana may have influenced his decision to take such a perilous path, shedding light on the desperation some Africans face in seeking opportunities abroad.
The family’s concern over the authenticity of these claims and their ongoing quest for clarity highlight the broader issue of economic hardship driving risky decisions among individuals in developing countries. So far, there has been no official confirmation or denial of Isaac’s death from his family or other authorities. The tragic story underscores the lengths to which some individuals are willing to go in search of better prospects, even if it means enlisting in foreign conflicts.
Content by: Emmanuel Frimpong
