No Ghanaian has died in Russia-Ukraine conflict – Foreign Affairs Ministry

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has assured that despite the unrest in Ukraine, no Ghanaian has died or suffered any serious injury.

It assured that most Ghanaians in Ukraine, including those under siege, had reportedly left to neighbouring countries.

A statement from the Ministry indicated that the evacuation exercise was progressing steadily, adding that, so far, 226 Ghanaians had returned to Ghana.

“The evacuees, mostly students, were received upon arrival by various government officials including officials from the Ministry as well as others from the Mental Health Authority, who offered psycho-social support to our distressed compatriots,” it said.

Concern

It further noted the continuous efforts of the government to monitor the situation through its Honorary Consulate in Hungary, adding that it was redoubling efforts towards completing the evacuation of the remaining students and nationals there.

The Ministry expressed concern about the refusal of some Ghanaians to leave Ukraine

“The Ministry notes with concern that against the backdrop of the prevailing situation and notwithstanding the readiness of the government to airlift home our compatriots who have fled from the Ukrainian crisis, some of them are unwilling to return to Ghana,” it said.

The Ministry thanked all who have been of immense support in the course of the evacuation.

“The government of Ghana wishes to seize this opportunity to express its profound gratitude to Governments, international humanitarian organisations, religious bodies, groups, and individuals, notably the National Union of Ghana Students in Ukraine, and neighbouring countries, the church of Pentecost, and the International Organisation for Migration for their support which in diverse culminated the success of this very important national assignment,” it said.

“The Government also appreciates the efforts of the hard-working members of our diplomatic Missions in Prague, Berne, the Vatican City, Moscow, Ankara, Vienna, and Berlin, as well as our Honorary Consuls in Hungary, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, in the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals,” it added.

Evacuation

On March 1, 2022, Ghana welcomed home the first group of students who were evacuated from Ukraine when Russia invaded the country.

The second batch of Ghanaians, made up of 24 students in Ukraine, arrived at the Kotoka International Airport on Friday March 4.

Of the number, 16 who were sponsored by the government came via Qatar Airways, with the remaining eight who sponsored themselves arriving by Turkish Airlines.

This brings to 41 the total number of Ghanaians evacuated from Ukraine so far since the Russian invasion began.