As African governments stepped up efforts to rescue stranded compatriots following the Russia-Ukraine Conflict, the first batch of Ghanaian students evacuated from Ukraine landed home safely on Tuesday.
However, in a series of tweets, Ghanaian Sport Journalist, Fentuo Tahiru revealed that the Government is facing a lot of difficulties as some students who are expected to be on their way home refused to board the flight.
Although, he said the first batch of 17 evacuees from Ukraine were set to arrive in Accra from Romania, 6 people refused to leave Romania after their flights tickets had been purchased. According to him, they said they were being evacuated against their will so they had to be left alone.
Read his tweets below;
He wrote;
“It’s easy to give government stick, but regarding Ukraine, Ghana’s forge in ministry and missions abroad are working really really hard. The 17 arriving today are the first of any African country’s citizens to be evacuated. So all credit must be given Govt.
“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.
“Here’s more; yesterday, about 20 Ghanaians arrived in the Hungarian capital Budapest along with footballer Najeeb Yakubu (who is their leader). They were to spend the night and head to Prague to be booked on flights to Ghana. This morning when he was leaving for Prague, only 6 people left with him to Prague.
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“The rest said they didn’t want to go to Ghana so they’re out roaming around in Budapest with their temporary visas. Najeeb is on his way to Prague where he will be booked on a flight home.
“So government is really working but our people, hmm.
“Let’s not forget that there are still hundreds stuck in Ukraine and struggling to get out. Those should be and is priority at the moment. For those out of Ukraine and not wanting to come back to Ghana, well, at least they’re safe now and that’s what’s important.”
The 17 students that arrived on Tuesday were the first of over 500 students anticipated to be returned to Ghana, according to Ghanaian officials. They arrived on government-paid commercial aircraft.
Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, the deputy minister of foreign affairs, said the government will assist the students in reintegrating and reuniting with their families after returning home from the Russia-Ukraine Conflict.
527 Ghanaians in Ukraine have crossed the Ukrainian border into other European countries, according to Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, and will be removed soon if they like.
Source: Fentuo Tahiru|@Fentuo_
