First batch of Ghanaians evacuated from Ukraine arrive in Ghana

The first batch of Ghanaian residents and students evacuated from Ukraine have arrived at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra today.

Reports say 16 came with the Qatar airlines while one came with the Turkish airline.

Meanwhile, other evacuees are expected to arrive in the coming days.

The 17 Ukraine-based Ghanaian students were part of a group rescued through neighbouring countries by land following the shutdown of Ukraine’s airspace since the beginning of the unrest in the country.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, who addressed a government press conference in Accra on Sunday (27 February), said the government with the assistance of some European countries bordering Ukraine has evacuated a number of Ghanaians to safe zones with several others being processed for evacuation.

She said “as at 12:00 hrs GMT today (27 February), information gathered was that about 460 students have left Ukraine en route to Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Czech Republic. The students will be received by officials of our diplomatic missions, honorary consuls and officials of the Ghana students’ associations.”

Botchwey said out of the number, 24 have already arrived in Bucharest, Romanian and are being assisted by Ghanaian officials on the ground with plane tickets to Accra while 48 are being processed at a holding area with another 60 going through border formalities.

She also disclosed that an additional 38 Ghanaians have been aided to cross the Ukrainian border into Poland and will be processed to come to Ghana indicating that another batch of 85 of Ghanaians are being assisted by the Ghanaian Embassy in Moscow to cross into Russia for onward evacuation.

She said the government has also put in place the necessary package to facilitate transportation, accommodation, feeding and medical support to ease any burden on Ghanaians who are being evacuated to safety.

Source: Ghana/Kasapafmonline.com/102.5 Fm