Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has criticized government for asking Ghanaian students in Ukraine to seek their own shelter following the Russia-Ukraine crisis, indicating that it’s not helpful.

The North Tongu MP called on government to, regardless of the situation, find some means to intervene for the stranded students and citizens in the country.

“With escalating hostilities and indications that a catastrophic deterioration appears inevitable, it is now expedient for the Government of Ghana to quickly intervene to save Ghanaian lives. Asking our students to seek their own shelter in these petrifying circumstances cannot be considered helpful by any stretch of imagination.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

Okudzeto Ablakwa urged government to expeditiously explore bilateral partnerships with countries already on the ground with superior logistics and advanced escape mechanisms.

“…considering that Ghana does not have a resident diplomatic mission in Ukraine and our oversight embassy in Bern, Switzerland has practical challenges, so as to ensure that our Ghanaian compatriots in harm’s way are whisked to safety.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

Number of citizens significant

According to Mr Ablakwa, the number of Ghanaian citizens in Ukraine is a significant one that must command the nation’s special and urgent attention.

“The National Union of Ghana Students informs me they have 959 registered members. There are in addition to our students, some estimated 500 Ghanaians in Ukraine.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

Okudzeto Ablakwa’s reaction followed Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urging Ghanaians in Ukraine to seek shelter in their homes or in designated government places of shelter, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“The Government of Ghana is gravely concerned about the security and safety of our over 1000 students and other Ghanaians in Ukraine and has asked them to shelter in place in their homes or in government places of shelter as we engage the authorities, our relevant diplomatic missions and our honorary consul on further measures.”
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Meanwhile, NUGS has expressed its concerns on the lack of directives and advisory notes to the students in Ukraine on their safety. NUGS as a result urged the Ghanaian government to ensure that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directs Ghana’s mission in Bern, Switzerland to communicate to the students on safety measures and the steps required to be taken to protect them, just like other countries are doing.

The evacuation, it said, was easier until Russians invaded some parts of the regions in Ukraine, making evacuation a bit difficult.

Nonetheless, the union insists government takes the students away from the disaster-prone zone to a safer place to aid easy transport back to Ghana.

The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deliberate on how to evacuate Ghanaian students in Ukraine following the Ukraine-Russia tensions.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry stated that the government is monitoring the situation and planning on ways to get the students out and assured of including the discussion at a cabinet meeting.

While awaiting the cabinet’s decision, the union urged parents, students, and guardians to remain calm as the government takes steps to ensure their safety.