Government has so far evacuated some 460 stranded Ghanaian students from Ukraine to neighbouring countries as efforts have been intensified to get the rest of the compatriots caught up in the conflict to safety.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey who announced this said government was committed to evacuating Ghanaians as it has dispatched officials from the country’s missions in Europe to various Ukrainian borders to help them cross into neighbouring countries.
She gave the assurance when she addressed the media yesterday Sunday on developments in Ukraine and efforts the government is making to ensure all Ghanaian nationals are evacuated to safety.
She explained that as of 12:00pm on Sunday, February 27, 2022, 460 students had left Ukraine en route to Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic and will be received by officials of Ghana’s Diplomatic Missions, honorary consuls and officials of the Ghana students’ associations.
“These numbers are bound to increase in a few days as we observe the team spirit being displayed by our compatriots, reaching out to each other, setting up group WhatsApp chats, sharing important phone numbers of consular officers and other personalities who could be of assistance and the cascading effects of the initiatives.
“Government has also put in place the necessary package to facilitate transportation, accommodation, feeding, medical support, etc to ease any burden on our compatriots,” she added.
Ms Ayorkor Botchwey disclosed that a list of Ghanaian students has been compiled to facilitate a Government-facilitated evacuation, which has been conveyed to the students through relevant Diplomatic Missions, Honorary Consul and student union leaders, to prepare them for the exercise.
The Foreign Ministry, she said, has also requested five European countries bordering Ukraine (Moldova, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia) to facilitate easy passage into their countries by the students.
She refuted reports that suggest a bus conveying some Ghanaians to the eastern part of Ukraine has been attacked.
220 Ghanaians coming home
Ms. Ayorkor Botchwey indicated that 220 Ghanaians have successfully left Ukraine and would soon arrive home while efforts continue earnestly to facilitate the safe return of more.
Ghana’s embassy officers, she said, have been dispatched to meet citizens who are being transported out of Ukraine to facilitate the processes and handle any outstanding challenges.
She stressed at such delicate times there is a need to steer clear of sensationalism and unconfirmed reports that will only serve to heighten tensions.
Ms. Botchwey assured that Ghana’s Missions in Bern, Ankara, Prague, Moscow and the Vatican are working around the clock in a coordinated manner to secure the safety of Ghanaian nationals and their evacuation.
The Government, she said, has secured passage through Hungary on a visa-free basis for students in possession of Ghanaian passports while the Romanian government has also warmly received Ghanaians that managed to cross into Romania.
According to her, the goodwill displayed by these friendly nations is a testament to the sound bilateral relations and the goodwill that Ghana enjoys in the comity of nations.
She added that steps are being taken to secure the contact numbers of parents or guardians of the students to enable the Ministry to engage them to allay their fears.
Ms. Ayorkor Botchwey stated that Ghana will continue to condemn reservedly the unprovoked attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a United Nations Member State and called on Russia to withdraw and end the war.
“Russia bears responsibility for the security and safety of our citizens and we call on her leadership to respect humanitarian law.
“Government is determined to ensure the security and safety of all our citizens in Ukraine. The ongoing military operations have put the lives of our compatriots in danger and we have called on Russia to end the war and withdraw,” she said.
