The invation of Ukraine by Russia has caused many countries to evacuate their citizens back to their respective countries and Ghana is no exemption.
More than 660,000 people have fled Ukraine while around one million people are internally displaced, the United Nations said on Tuesday.
The first batch of 17 evacuees from Ukraine arrived in Accra from Romania on Tuesday morning. Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration disclosed that six (6) Ghanaians in Ukraine refused to leave Romania after their flights had been purchased by the Government.
“They said they were being evacuated against their will so they had to be left alone.”
“As at 5 PM on 28th of February, an estimated number of 527 Ghanaians had crossed the Ukrainian border to various European countries and would soon be evacuated if they wanted, it will be at no cost to them. I say that because there are some who have indicated that they do not wish to come back home. So after a couple of days, they will be on their own because the government cannot cover those people forever.”
She said during a meeting with parents and guardians of Ghanaian students in Ukraine in Accra on Tuesday, March 1st 2022.
A tweet from Mr. Fentuo Tahiru – Head of Sports for Citi FM 97.3 said “the Ghana liaison officer in Poland hired a bus to the Polish border to transport Ghanaians to Warsaw for onward flight to Ghana.
Out of 80 people registered at the boarder, only 5 got on the bus. The rest are reported to have disappeared after being granted the temporary visa.”
Here’s more:
Yesterday, the Ghana liaison officer in Poland hired a bus to the Polish boarder to transport Ghanaians to Warsaw for onward flight to Ghana. Out of 80 ppl registered at the boarder, only 5 got on the bus. The rest disappeared after being granted the temporary visa
— Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo (@Fentuo_) March 1, 2022
“About twenty (20) Ghanaians arrived in the Hungarian capital Budapest along with footballer Najeeb Yakubu – as their leader.
They were to spend the night and head to Prague to be booked on flights to Ghana.
On Tuesday morning, while leaving for Prague, only 6 people left with him to Prague. The rest said “they didn’t want to go to Ghana so they’re out roaming around in in Budapest with their temporary visas.” he added.
Credits: Mr Fentuo Tahiru
