Gov’t secures safety of Ghanaians as Russia-Ukraine war escalates

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, yesterday outlined measures put in place by government to ensure the safety and evacuation of Ghanaians, as the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine escalates.

Addressing a press conference to provide an update on the security situation in Ukraine, Ms Ayorkor Botchwey said, based on the overall objective of government to ensure the safety of citizens, directives were issued to five of the country’s Diplomatic Missions in Europe as well as our Honorary consulate in Ukraine to immediately commence steps to evacuate Ghanaians there.

“The deteriorating military situation in Ukraine directly impacts on the safety and security of Ghanaian nationals, including about 1,000 students in that country. Twenty-seven of these students are on the government of Ghana scholarships, while the rest are predominantly self-sponsored students,” she disclosed.

Steps taken

She confirmed that an unknown number of Ghanaian students were reported to have left Ukraine a week ago following Bern Mission’s advice as the situation was getting dire.

Ms Botchwey further explained that officials of the Ministry held a meeting with the leadership of the Ghana and Ukrainian National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) to brainstorm on the way forward, including plans of evacuation.

“A list of our students was compiled to facilitate a Government-facilitated evacuation, and this information of a possible evacuation was conveyed to the students through our relevant Diplomatic Missions, Honorary Consul and student union leaders, to prepare them for the exercise.

“Having assessed the situation, the students commenced movement by road to the various borders where officials of Ghana’s relevant Diplomatic Missions and Honorary Consuls are on standby to facilitate their passage into countries such as Romania, Poland and Hungary,” she stated.

She pointed out that the Ministry had requested five European countries bordering Ukraine (Moldova, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia) to facilitate easy passage into their countries by the distressed citizens. She added that the Government of Moldova had officially indicated it willingness to facilitate the passage of foreign nationals based on a structured exercise.

“Steps are being taken to secure the contact numbers of parents or guardians of our students to enable the Ministry engage them as we seek to ensure the safety of our compatriots and allay their fears,” she added.

Concrete outcomes

She said her ministry had also dispatched officials from the country’s missions to various borders to assist Ghanaians when they cross into neighbouring countries.

She revealed that as at 12:00hrs GMT yesterday, February 27, information gathered was that over 460 students had left Ukraine enroute to Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Czech Republic.

She added the students would be received by officials of the country’s Diplomatic Missions, honorary consuls and officials of the Ghana students’ associations.

Providing the breakdown of those who had exited Ukraine, she said 24 had arrived in Bucharest, Romania, and “our officer on the ground is procuring tickets for them to leave today enroute to Accra”.

She said 48 people were being processed at the holding area while another 60 were going through border formalities, with 38 having crossed into Poland in the hands of officials.

“We are currently also making arrangements for those who are willing to be assisted to get on flights. 25 persons enroute to Prague from Slovakia were assisted by the Honorary Consul and will be received on entry by the Mission in Prague. 25, just this morning, arrived in Hungary and are being sheltered at the Pentecostal church in Budapest. 85 of our compatriots are being assisted by our Embassy in Moscow to cross the border town of Suny into Russia which as indicated earlier has posed serious difficulties,” she said.

Heightened tension

The conflict in Russia-Ukraine war keeps escalating, with what is said to be heavy casualties reported to have occurred on both sides. At least, 200 deaths had been reported among Ukrainians, who had faced shelling and street fighting the invasion.

Earlier yesterday, the Ukrainian foreign ministry claimed an estimated 4,300 Russian troops had been killed in Ukraine. Reports indicated that Russian troops had entered Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine.

Heavy fighting was said to be in motion on the streets after a missile struck a gas pipeline in the early hours of yesterday. This had resulted in a nine-storey residential tower being damaged.

The fighting had resulted in at least 240 civilian casualties, including 64 deaths, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said more than 368,000 people had arrived in neighbouring countries from Ukraine. The UN believes a total of four million could be displaced.