The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the early hours of Thursday, February 24, 2022, to deliberate on how to evacuate Ghanaian students in Ukraine following tensions between that country and Russia.
At the meeting, NUGS expressed its concerns on the lack of directives and advisory notes to the students in Ukraine on their safety. NUGS also urged the government to ensure that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directs Ghana’s mission in Bern and Switzerland to communicate to the students on safety measures and the steps taken to protect them, just like other countries are doing.
“We express concerns over the lack of clear statement of plans, directives and advisory notes to ensure the safety of Ghanaian students in Ukraine and asked the Ministry to ensure the Mission in Bern, Switzerland makes formal communications to students of their safety measures and steps the embassy is taking to ensure their safety just as other foreign missions in Ukraine are doing.”
24 hours ago, the evacuation was easier until last night when the Russians invaded some parts of the regions in Ukraine, making evacuation a bit difficult.
Nonetheless, the union insists the government takes the students away from the disaster-prone zone to a safer place to aid easy transport back to Ghana.
The Ministry has, however, assured of including the discussion at a cabinet meeting today.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry also stated that the government is monitoring the situation and planning on ways to get the students out.
While awaiting the cabinet’s decision, the union urges parents, students, and guardians to remain calm as the government takes steps to ensure their safety.
Russian forces began attacking Ukraine early on Thursday morning. Its President, Vladimir Putin, announced the military operation at dawn despite calls for de-escalation from world leaders.
There have been reports of explosions near major Ukrainian cities, including its capital, Kyiv.
Recent tensions have stemmed from Russia’s opposition to Ukraine’s moves towards European institutions like Nato and the EU.
Over a thousand Ghanaians are studying in Ukraine. Most of them live in Kyiv and Kharkiv, the two main cities targeted by Russian missiles.
