88 Ghanaian students evacuated from Ukraine so far – Foreign Affairs Ministry

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, says the government has so far received 88 Ghanaian students from Romania, Hungary, and Poland as part of the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals from Ukraine.

This brings the total number of evacuees to 181 as of 12:00 p.m on March 8, 2022.

The Ministry in the statement however noted with grave concern the refusal of some Ghanaian students to show up at the airport after they had expressed their willingness to be evacuated.

“This has resulted in the government purchasing air tickets which remain unused as well as paying for COVID-19 tests for persons with no intention of traveling.”

The Ministry urged only Ghanaians who are willing to be evacuated to confirm their participation to avoid the “dissipation of scarce public funds.”

“To be precise, the government of Ghana will only bear the cost of 2 nights’ hotel accommodation for all those who are received by its staff and representatives and lodged in hotels in the countries neighboring Ukraine and in other European countries.”

“In the case of those who refuse the offer to be assisted to return home, the government of Ghana’s obligations towards them ceases after they have been provided with 2 nights’ hotel accommodation,” it stressed.

The Ministry further assured that the government will provide the evacuees with air tickets and have their COVID-19 tests paid for.

It also indicated that about 70% of compatriots who were stranded in Sumy, close to the Russian border have commenced their journey to Myrhorod, where they will be transported to the western border cities for onward transfer to neighbouring countries.

It also commended the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) within the region, the Church of Pentecost, and other religious bodies, government, Humanitarian Organisations, and individuals that have made the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals possible.