The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, has indicated that universities in Hungary have expressed interest in admitting Ghanaian students who fled Ukraine due to its ongoing war with Russia.
Mr Ampratwum-Sarpong revealed that the Hungarian government has resolved to allow affected Ghanaian students to continue their education in selected universities. The Minister made this revelation today, Friday, March 4, 2022, when he received an additional 24 Ghanaian students at the Kotoka International Airport.
“The government of Hungary has agreed to take those who will be prepared to transfer to universities or to continue education in Hungary, and they are prepared to match whatever facilities and whatever financial obligations being paid in Hungary. So, there is a window of opportunity that all is not lost”.
Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong
Welcoming students on behalf of the President, Mr Ampratwum-Sarpong revealed that government empathises with them considering the “traumatic and difficult situation” they were confronted with.
“… But thanks be to God that you’re home today. All Ghanaians share in your plight. It is our hope that in good time, you will pull yourself together and go back to further your studies”.
Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong
Ghanaian students arrive from Ukraine
Following the receipt of Ghanaian students into the country, government has indicated that the Ghana Psychology Council has been engaged to provide psychological support to Ghanaian students who have returned from Ukraine. According to the Council, this is imperative due to the trauma they have been exposed to.
Students upon their arrival today, expressed gratitude to the government for facilitating their movement out of the war-torn country, recounting their experiences of racism at the borders. Adu-Gyamfi Amobi, leader of the 24 students who arrived, equally narrated the traumatising experience they encountered in Ukraine.
“We want to thank God because he helped us move. It is not our strength. What was going on at the border was not easy. People were lying down on the floor. It was a traumatic experience. I am happy that the government stepped in to help… We want to thank the Government of Ghana for the assistance. A lot of lives were lost, and it was sad. The flights and the [COVID] test were very expensive, yet the government made sure everything was free, accommodation, food, COVID-19 test, and I was surprised. We thank God, and the government”.
Adu-Gyamfi Amobi
Meanwhile, Mr Apratwum-Sarpong expressed that government has reached an agreement with the Russian government to allow the safe passage of Ghanaians, particularly students, in war zones into its territory. He further intimated that the Red Cross has equally agreed to participate in evacuating Ghanaian citizens caught up in Kharkiv.
“… After lobbying the Russian authorities and President, President Putin has finally said they will open a safe passage for citizens caught in Kharkiv and other areas, and that will start immediately”.
Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong
Currently, government has been undertaking a number of processes in partnership with diplomatic missions, honorary consuls and stakeholders to ensure Ghanaian nationals are evacuated to safer zones.
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