The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has revealed that the government will bear the cost of two nights’ hotel accommodation for Ghanaians who have decided to be flown into the country as a result of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
According to the ministry, these Ghanaians can be hosted by staff and representatives in the European countries they find themselves. By implication, the directive explained that Ghanaians who refuse to return home will have to cater for the cost of their stay after being provided with accommodation for two nights for free.
“To be precise, the Government of Ghana will only bear the cost of two nights’ hotel accommodation for all those received by its staff and representatives and lodged in hotels in the neighbouring Ukraine and in other European countries. They will also be provided with air tickets to Ghana and have their Covid-19 tests paid for”.
Foreign Affairs Ministry
Contained in a press statement, the Foreign Affairs ministry noted with “grave concern” the reluctance and refusal of some Ghanaians to show up at the airport despite expressing willingness to be evacuated. The ministry noted that this has resulted in the government “purchasing air tickets which remain unused” as well as paying for COVID-19 test for persons with no intention of leaving.
The Ministry, therefore, said it is “entreating only Ghanaians who are willing to be evacuated to confirm their participation so as to avoid the dissipation of scarce public funds”.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has intimated that about 70% of Ghanaians who were stranded in Sumy, close to the Russia border have commenced their journey to Myrhorod. At Myrhorod, the ministry disclosed that they will be transported to the “western border cities” for onward transfer to neighbouring countries.
Currently, the ministry has so far received 88 Ghanaian students from Romania, Hungary and Poland as part of evacuation efforts of Ghanaian nationals from Ukraine. This brings the number of evacuees to 181.
Following this, the government expressed gratitude to the various National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) within the region, the Church of Pentecost and other religious bodies, governments, humanitarian organisations and individuals that have made the evacuation of Ghanaians from Ukraine possible.
Evacuation of Ghanaians from Ukraine
On March 6, 2022, the Deputy Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Thomas Mbomba, urged Ghanaian students to return to Ghana in order to avoid becoming illegal residents in the EU countries they are currently seeking refuge in. He indicated that the assistance of the government of Ghana and the hospitality of their host countries will end at some point. As such, there is the need for them to take a decision now.
Mr Mbomba made this revelation when he addressed stranded Ghanaian students from Ukraine who have made their way into Bucharest, Romania. Mr Mbomba assured them of government’s support to ensure they’re re-united with their families, while government works out plans for their studies.
Touching on concerns about the future of their studies, the Deputy Minister guaranteed them that government would assess the situation once the evacuation exercise was completed. Mr Mbomba indicated that funds meant for the evacuation of students and Ghanaians in general will be utilized by the various government bodies involved in their repatriation.
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