First Batch of Ghanaian Students Studying in Ukraine Evacuated (photos)

The Ghanaian government has evacuated its first batch of students trapped in war ravaged Ukraine.

The 17 evacuees were trapped in Ukraine as Russian missiles hit the country indiscriminately.

Ghana’s foreign ministry reports that no fewer than 500 of its students have fled Ukraine and can come home at will as solid arrangements have been made for their return.

The first batch of 17 students arrived on Tuesday afternoon in the country’s capital, Accra on 2 flights.

Related story: JUST IN ! ‘Nigerians in Ukraine Should Take Personal Responsibility for Their Safety’ – Nigerian Government

Reports say the students who were looking very calm were welcomed by a government delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong.

One of the students, Nana Boakye Agyemang, a first-year medical student who has been studying in Ukraine for the past 5 years, spoke with reporters. 

Nana said that, “This is quite unfortunate that we have to come home. Siblings should be calm, friends should be calm. The government is doing its possible best to make sure that we all come back home. For the meantime, we want to say thank you and we appreciate whatever has been done for us.”

Another student, Priscilla Adjai said she took the decision to return because she was afraid to die.

According to her, “We decided to move because they said the targeted areas were eastern Ukraine but we were in western Ukraine. We were not supposed to be targeted but two hours from me cities were bombed, so I became afraid because it’s narrowing down to where I am. So I talked to my parents and they said, ‘Yes, go ahead.’”

The Deputy Foreign Minister, told reporters that the government is working round the clock to evacuate every Ghanaian who wishes to return home.

“We thank the Almighty God that he’s seen you through and brought you home. In the next couple of hours you’ll reconcile and re-engage with your families. The government is determined to continue to make sure that your colleagues who are still in transit to be evacuated will be eventually evacuated.”

Having been debrief, the students were reunited with their parents who were in a separate meeting with government officials.

Over 500 Ghanaian students who were in Ukraine when Russian invaded the country have found their way to Poland and Romania.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama is horrified that ‘Some Nigerians Refuse to Come Back Home from Ukraine.’