The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has categorically denied allegations of a $38.2 million contract with Access Services Ghana Limited.

These accusations were made by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, who claimed the Ministry had signed a questionable deal with the company to manage visa applications for Ghana’s diplomatic missions abroad.

Ablakwa further alleged that Access Services Ghana Limited lacked experience in the field and that the contract was awarded without approval from the Public Procurement Authority, raising concerns about transparency and value for money.

He also pointed out that parliamentary approval was not sought before finalizing the agreement.

In response, the Ministry issued a statement on Friday, October 18, describing the MP’s claims as “largely incorrect” and “calculated to mislead the public.”

They emphasised that the necessary procedures were followed in awarding the contract and that Ablakwa’s allegations were unfounded.

The Ministry reassured the public that all agreements, including the one in question, were entered into with proper diligence, aiming to improve the efficiency of visa processing for Ghana’s diplomatic missions globally.

“The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has been drawn to online publications by Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for the North Tongu Constituency, on the above-mentioned subject.”

“The article purported to give details of an agreement between the Ministry and Access Services Ghana Limited (Access). The Ministry wishes to put across that the facts as purported in the said article are largely incorrect and calculated to deliberately mislead the public on the intent of the Ministry.”

The Ministry dismissed as highly misleading the claims that Access Citizens would earn approximately US$ 38.2 million by September 2028, while Ghana’s Foreign Ministry would receive only a modest US$ 2 million from the deal.

“The claim by Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa that per his ‘conservative financial analysis Access Citizens would be raking about US$ 38.2 million between now and September 2028 while Ghana’s Foreign Ministry struggles to get a measly US$ 2 million out of that is grossly misleading.”

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has raised concerns about a purported visa processing scandal involving Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

He alleges that the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration hastily signed a questionable contract for visa processing just weeks ahead of leaving office, raising eyebrows among various stakeholders.

In a social media post on Thursday, October 17, Mr Ablakwa said the contract with Access Citizens Services Ghana Limited has ignited significant outrage among diplomats and security officials.

He warned that this deal could have serious implications for national security, data protection, and the financial interests of Ghana’s diplomatic missions abroad.

The contract, signed on October 2, 2024, grants Access Citizens Services Ghana Limited exclusive rights to handle all front-end visa applications globally, with the exception of protocol visas.

Mr Ablakwa criticised this move, emphasising that it centralizes visa processing under a single entity, which could be detrimental to the country’s diplomatic operations.

Additionally, he pointed out that Ghana’s diplomatic missions will be obligated to transfer visa processing responsibilities to Access Citizens within four months of the company’s establishment of Premium Application Centers in each country.

Mr Ablakwa believes this decision is fraught with issues, and he is calling for urgent scrutiny of the contract and its implications for Ghana’s foreign affairs.

“The agreement raises major concerns about data protection, national security, and a crude undermining of key functions of Ghana’s diplomatic missions. Interestingly, the two parties have agreed to operate under the new dubious terms until September 1, 2028, with the option for another 5-year renewal. Access Citizens, under this new agreement, will enjoy absolute exclusivity.”

“Access Citizens insist that they must be allowed to exclusively process a forecasted minimum of 695,468 visas between September 1, 2023, and September 1, 2028, which has been gladly granted by Ghana’s Foreign Ministry. From the unconscionable revenue sharing arrangement under the contract, Ghana’s Foreign Ministry will receive a paltry 3% to 10% of the fees from visa applicants,” he disclosed.

“Visa applicants in the United Kingdom will now pay £45. Visa applicants in the United States of America will pay $55; visa applicants in Germany and Italy will pay €55; visa applicants in China will pay $55, and visa applicants in all other jurisdictions will pay $55. Conservative financial analysis shows that Access Citizens will be raking in about $38.2 million between now and September 2028, while Ghana’s Foreign Ministry struggles to get a measly $2 million out of that,” he added.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has issued notice for passport applicants who paid for their applications before April 1, 2024.

Applicants who have not yet completed their biometric capture are now required to visit their designated Passport Application Centres (PACs) to finalise the process by October 18, 2024.

This directive, detailed in a press release dated September 18, 2024, underscores the necessity for applicants to complete their biometric data collection to ensure their applications are processed.

The Ministry emphasises that any applications pending biometric capture after this deadline will be deemed invalid.

The release also highlights the importance of adhering to this timeline to avoid complications or delays in receiving passports.

The Ministry is urging all affected applicants to act promptly to prevent their applications from being rejected.

“Passport applications submitted under the previous fees of GHC100 and GHC150 will be invalid after this deadline. This follows an upward revision in passport fees, in line with the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations, 2023 (L.I 2481), which came into effect on April 1, 2024,” the release said.

“Applicants are advised to act swiftly to avoid their applications being invalidated,” it added.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kwaku Ampratwum Sarpong, has asked Ghanaians to desist from politicising all issues and rather concentrate on the economic gains the country could make from its decisions and policies.

He made the comment at the just-ended Made-in-Ghana Bazaar.

Speaking to Joy Prime’s Michelle Ageykum on his visit to the Accra International Conference Center (AICC) where the bazaar was held, the deputy minister spoke about how the Bazaar serves as one of the best ways for Ghanaian products to get into the global market.

He feels as though Ghanaians should not put all their focus and energy on political affairs but rather try to find ways to improve the country’s economic fortunes.

“One major area for the Ghanaian manufacturer or producer is to be able to get market, and when they succeed in getting market outside the country, it’s a huge opportunity for them; it’s a huge growth area because they have the local market that they can produce and sell, and now they have the international market, and we are creating that avenue for them to be able to get into the international market, and that is a huge opportunity.”

“We think that as the ministry with the responsibility of opening doors to the external world, we should not only be concentrating on political issues and political talk, but we should also be looking at the economic side of things. For us, we do the political diplomacy, and we do the economic diplomacy, or what we call nowadays commercial diplomacy, the business. It’s not about the talk; it’s about what puts food on the table,” he said.

Mr Sarpong is also of the view that patronising more Ghanaian-made products creates more job opportunities in the country.

The 3^rd edition of the Made-in-Ghana Bazaar was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to promote made-in-Ghana goods and services.

The three-day event started on Thursday, May 23, 2024, and was climaxed on Saturday, May 25, 2024.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has announced the revival of its long-term program to promote made-in-Ghana goods and services.

The Made-in-Ghana Bazaar, a flagship program of the Ministry, was initially launched in 2018 following the government’s decision to re-establish the Economic, Trade, and Investment Bureau of the Ministry in 2017 as part of its economic and industrial transformation agenda.

However, due to circumstances described as “beyond the Ministry’s control,” the event has stalled for the past three years.

In an effort to resume the initiative, the third edition of the Made-in-Ghana Bazaar has been launched with promises to create a platform for building strong relationships between Ghana’s local industries and the well-established markets of foreign partners abroad, utilizing Ghana’s Diplomatic Missions and network.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, reiterated the importance of patronizing made-in-Ghana goods and services while emphasizing the need to improve the production, processing, packaging, and distribution chain.

“The 3rd Edition of the Bazaar would provide exhibitors with an opportunity to showcase a wide range of innovative products and services, as well as to establish contacts with strategic partners, exchange experiences, explore business opportunities, and to consolidate relationships with new and existing customers,” the Minister stated

She also emphasized that the timing of the event was auspicious due to prevailing international developments, which have prompted the need for governments to focus more on economic diplomacy. This involves forging partnerships and strengthening economic ties to boost economies, create prosperity, and improve the living standards of their peoples.

This year’s Bazaar will be open to the general public, who are expected to patronize the wide range of products and services that will be exhibited.

This provides exposure for local businesses and an opportunity for sensitization of domestic and foreign business operators. In previous Bazaars, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration reported that it recorded no fewer than 200 exhibitors and 2,500 visitors.

This is a reason they anticipate that this year’s Bazaar will attract over 5,000 patrons, considering the wide publicity and high interest shown in the previous Bazaars.

The Foreign Minister remains hopeful that the desire to accomplish the task ahead can only be achieved with the active participation of stakeholders who, in her estimation, have been “instrumental” in planning the 3rd Edition of the Made-in-Ghana Bazaar.

The 3rd Edition of the Made-in-Ghana Bazaar will be hosted at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) from 23rd to 25th May, under the theme “Promoting Made-in-Ghana Goods and Services for Economic Prosperity”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has advised Ghanaians against travelling to some regions in the northern part of Mali.

In a press release, the Ministry said the decision was a result of a recent security threat along the major highways linking Mali and Niger, particularly the Gao and Ansongo Regions of Northern Mali.

The Ministry noted that there have been reports of terrorists harassing commuters who use the routes.

“The Ministry remains committed to the safety of Ghanaians and will provide updates on the security situation in the region under reference in due course,” the statement read.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry urged the general public to always prioritise their safety when travelling.

The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has strongly criticized the Foreign Affairs Ministry for the recent hike in passport fees.

Mr. Ablakwa described the increase as unconscionable and insensitive to the Ghanaian people.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry recently adjusted the fees for passport applications, raising them from GH¢100 to GH¢500 for the 32-page booklet and to GH¢644 for the 48-page booklet under the standard service, effective Monday, April 1.

• Read also: Passport application fees hiked; Expedited service now at ¢800, standard service at ¢644

For expedited service, applicants will now pay GH¢700 for a 32-page booklet and GH¢800 for a 48-page booklet.

In an interview on the JoyNews AM Show on Tuesday, April 2, the North Tongu MP expressed surprise at the fee hike, stating that it was not approved by Parliament.

He emphasised that no decision had been made regarding the increment and criticized the move for disregarding the current economic challenges facing the country.

“I must say that we are very outraged. We are disappointed. We think that this is so insensitive, it is unconscionable and does not take in consideration the current cost of living crisis and the economic plight of Ghanaians.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has cautioned Ghanaians against non-essential travels to conflict-prone countries.

Also, the Ministry has advised citizens to be vigilant regarding intermediaries who claim to offer enticing opportunities such as employment, residency, and citizenship permits.

This alert follows the ongoing wars in various countries.

In a statement, the Ministry emphasized the dangers associated with such travels, highlighting the severe risks involved for travellers.

“Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration wishes to caution the travelling public to be wary of the activities of middlemen/agents who purport to have the ability to secure citizenship, resident permits and job offers in conflict areas and countries at war as these journeys are perilous and often have dire consequences.

“In light of ongoing conflicts and the risk of conscription in certain countries or regions around the world, travellers are strongly advised to exercise caution and carefully consider their travel plans,” parts of the statement read.

Meanwhile, travellers have been urged to adopt precautionary measures and prioritise their safety and well-being, especially when considering job offers in regions that pose the threat of conscription and armed conflict.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration is making a case for an upward adjustment of the fees for passport applications.

Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Kwaku Ampratwum Sarpong in a press briefing on Tuesday, November 28 argued that the cost of the travel document has been heavily subsidised by the government hence the inability of the passport office to invest in other areas of service delivery.

Currently, a citizen pays an average of $8 for an ordinary passport as compared to the second least paying country Liberia which pays an average cost of $40.

According to Ampratwum Sarpong, engagements will soon begin with Parliament to push for fees adjustment

“The Foreign Affairs Committee at the various meetings that we’ve had with them, have always urged us to try and do something about the price.

“We are in consultation with the various stakeholders and hopefully our next attempt is to engage with Parliament because we on our own, cannot increase passport fees, we will need the support of Parliament to make it happen,” he said.

Also, the activities of middlemen are known to be a contributory factor to the hurdles in acquiring a passport as many agents charge over 3,000 cedis for an ordinary passport.

On this issue, the Deputy Foreign Minister says a number of interventions have been put in place by the Ministry to check these illegal charges.

In a related development, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has announced a visa-free regime for all foreign nationals traveling into Ghana effective December 1, 2023.

In an interview with JoyNews’ Blessed Sogah, Ampratwum Sarpong explained that the policy is in response to ‘December In Ghana”.

The December In Ghana programme was initiated by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and aimed at welcoming visitors who might be interested in making Ghana a holiday destination this Yuletide.

Within an estimated time – 60 minutes – any foreign national entering Ghana this December will be able to access their visa on arrival.

“Anybody who wants to come to Ghana can take advantage,” Ampratwum Sarpong intimated while explaining that “December of late, it’s become a month of activity, big activity in the country and it’s a month that a lot of our compatriots living outside the country take advantage to come in and enjoy the Christmas festivities.”

The Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Mavis Nkansah Boadu has assured that “no Ghanaian citizen is currently caught up in the attack” in the Israel and Palestine conflict.

According to her, the Ghanaian community is safe although the disastrous nature of the conflict has raised so many concerns about Ghanaian’s welfare in Israel.

“As for now, the issue of evacuation of our nationals from Israel has not been raised,” she said while delivering a statement on the war in Parliament on Thursday, November 2.

The Deputy Foreign Minister added, “Our mission is in close contact with the leaders of the Ghanaian community and it is providing the Ministry with the update of their welfare and we provide the general public with update pertaining to the welfare of Ghanaians in Israel.”

Already, some Ghanaians living in Israel say they have no interest in returning home even as the country’s war with Palestine takes a full-blown turn.

Seth Cudjoe, a Ghanaian resident in that country in an interview on JoyNews‘ The Pulse said seeking an exit will be his last option because he has a newborn who needs all the care and stability.

“I am not planning to come back to Ghana…I can’t also leave my wife and jump to Ghana and the Ghana community is not ready to leave for Ghana unless the worst confronts us,” he said.

According to him, the Ghanaian community in his area is not ready to leave until they have no other option.

“The Ghanaian community in Israel feels safer in Israel. With the help of the Embassy, they’ve communicated to us – given us instructions, basically what to do and what not to do. They’ve made us understand that if they don’t have anything to do outside, then no need to go out .. to be at a safer place.”

There has been a deadly attack by Hamas militants on Southern Israel leading to renewed hostility between Israel and Palestine over the Gaza strip.

Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip reportedly infiltrated into southern Israel to attack innocent Israeli civilians.

Israel says more than 600 people have been killed and 100 kidnapped.

In Gaza, at least 313 people have been killed following retaliatory Israeli air strikes, according to Palestinian officials.

This notwithstanding, the Israeli Mission in Ghana believes that it is early days yet for any rush evacuation.

They assured to safeguard the lives of people including Ghanaian citizens living in the region.

“Israel is ready to guard the safety of all the people in Israel.”

Private legal practitioner, Kweku Paintsil, says government must take steps to address the level of corruption associated with the delivery of public service by state institutions.

This follows a corruption-related report released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in partnership with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

According to the report, the Ghana Police Service is the most prone to bribery among all public officials, recording an alarming prevalence rate of 53.2%.

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) followed with bribery rates of 37.4% and 33.6% respectively.

The Lands Commission, DVLA and Passport Agencies placed 4^th, 5^th and 6^th on the list.

Subsequently, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey visited the Passport Office in Accra where some officials were accused of extorting money from Ghanaians.

Speaking in an interview with JoyNews, Mr Paintsil said the Foreign Affair Minister’s outrage during her tour of the Passport Office is experienced by most Ghanaians and foreign investors when accessing public service.  

“The frustration that the Minister expressed with regards to obtaining a passport is the same thing when you go to Registrar General. (It is the same) when your friend investor who sits in America comes to do business in Ghana and is able to see that this thing is supposed to run through three weeks and this is the total cost of it but when he goes to the ground, it doesn’t work that way.

“Go for land valuation, when you want to stamp a single document, you will go and they will tell you that on normal circumstances this thing is supposed to take three weeks but if you are able to find a way and put weight on paper we can get it for you in three days. And if you don’t do the three-day deal and leave it for three weeks, by three months you are not going to get it.

“So these things are happening in all kinds of institutions and places where we are suppose to get things according to certain time lines so what the Minister said is just the tip of the ice berg,” he stressed.

On his part, anti-corruption campaigner, Vitus Azeem believes public servants and service providers at the various institutions can be prevented from taking bribes and engaging in corruption if time lines or strict measures are put in place.

“People can do the work but they don’t want to do it because we have not put in place measures that will make them effective. So we need to set timelines for the staff. In a day, you have to process a certain number of passports. If you are not able to do that then you lose your job. We need effective monitoring and supervision and we need measures in place.

“We have an express passport system, you go and pay at the bank and yet the express even after three months you don’t hear from them at all. You keep going and they keep tossing you up and down because somebody is benefitting from it,” he explained.

Touching on his personal experience at the Passport Office in Accra, Mr. Azeem said management of the facility must prevent non-staff and hawkers from idling around since they mostly engage in the illegality.

“I came one day to the Accra Passport Office to change my passport because it had expired.

“When I entered a lady told me to go and come back in the afternoon because they are busy… and I said no, this is just a renewal so why do I have to go and come back.

“I left her and went upstairs to one of their Assistant Director’s office, he took my passport, and gave me two days to come back for the renewed passport.

“If you have nothing doing in the passport office, don’t come and sit around there because they are the people making those arrangements, including those who pretend to be selling there.

“Once a woman confronted me and asked if I am coming for a passport and that if I give her two thousand (Ghana Cedis) she will get it for me. I left her and went away,” Mr. Azeem narrated.

He stressed that while digitizing the process is necessary it is not enough.

“…because there are people who are still running the process, even manipulating the system, always saying the system is down. You go to an office and always the system is down, even banks,” he added.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration on Monday began a four-day official visit to Beirut, Lebanon to explore areas of cooperation and collaboration. 

Whilst there, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey held a meeting with her Lebanese counterpart, Mr Abdallah Bou Habib, during which both ministers highlighted the need to explore other areas of cooperation.  

Madam Ayorkor Botchwey also met with Mr Nabih Berri, the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, during which they discussed the importance of the recently established Ghana-Lebanon Parliamentary Friendship and called for more exchanges between the two countries.  

A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency said the Minister finally held a meeting with Mr Bassam Mawlawi, the Minister of the Interior, Lebanon, accompanied by Mr Elias Baissari, the Head of General Security of Lebanon. 

The meetings highlighted the importance of the relations between Ghana and Lebanon, especially the contribution of Ghanaian troops to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). 

She expressed the hope that conditions would be made conducive for Ghanaian workers in Lebanon.

Ghana established its formal diplomatic relations with Lebanon on her attainment of Independence. It was the second country in the Middle East that Ghana established diplomatic relations.  

The Foreign Affairs Ministry says 76 Ghanaians have crossed the Sudan-Ethiopian border.

In a press statement issued by the Ministry on Sunday, it said preparations are being made for 74 evacuees to be flown into Accra on Tuesday, May 2.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration wishes to inform the general public that 76 Ghanaian nationals have successfully crossed the Sudan-Ethiopia border with the assistance of officials of the Ghana Embassy in Ethiopia and are currently in Addis Ababa.”

The Ministry also stated that a footballer and two engineers had been assisted by officials of the Ghana Embassy in Egypt to cross the Egyptian border at Wadi Halfa, north of Sudan.

It further said two other footballers were undergoing immigration processes.

Additionally, the MInistry said contact details of people who offered assistance at the borders of Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia were provided to Ghanaians who needed to cross any of the borders.

Read the communique below

The Foreign Affairs Ministry says it has successfully evacuated 82 Ghanaians from Sudan.

In a press statement issued on Sunday, April 23, it disclosed that it was collaborating with its Missions in Cairo, Addis Ababa, and the Honorary Consul in Khartoum to facilitate a safe passage out of the conflict-ridden country.

The Ministry said, “Student leaders have so far been successfully evacuated two batches of 50 and 27 identified Ghanaian nationals to safety in Gedaref, Sudan. 

“They will be transported tomorrow to the Ethiopian border town of Metema where they will be received by Ghana Embassy officials, processed for Ethiopian entry visas and thereof repatriated home. They comprise 34 females and 43 males,” excerpts of the statement said. 

The statement added, “in addition, three Ghanaian footballers and two others working for an Australian Mining Company are being evacuated through the Egyptian border post of Wadi Halfa, north of Sudan. 

Sudan has been gripped by a deadly conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. 

This has resulted in avoidable casualties in the past week which has forced many countries to evacuate their citizens from the country.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has said disclosed that Ghanaian international footballer Christian Atsu’s twin sister and elder brother were present at the site when his body was recovered on Saturday morning.

It said the Ghana Embassy in Turkey is working in hand with the Turkish government in making the necessary arrangements to fly the body of the former Chelsea and Newcastle winger to Ghana for burial.

In a statement on Saturday, the Ministry said confirmed receiving the “unfortunate news of the recovery of the body of Christian Atsu from the rubble of his apartment,” after the February 6 earthquake in Turkey, Syria and its surrounding.

It added, “This comes after almost 12 days of tortuous search by a rescue team.”

The Foreign Ministry said the Ghana Embassy in Turkey which broke the news to it further said the body was recovered early Saturday morning.

”The elder brother and twin sister of Christian Atsu and an Officer of the Embassy were present at the site when the body was recovered.

“Government extends to the widow and family of Christian Atsu our deepest condolences. The Embassy is currently making the necessary arrangements with the assistance of the Government of Türkiye to have the body transported to Ghana for burial,” it added.

The Ministry said the Ghanaians will be updated on further developments.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration is urging members of the public who have applied for passport to pick up their printed document at the various passport application centres across the country.

In a press release sighted by JoyNews, the Ministry said it was concern that although “applicants have been informed through text messages that their passports have been printed and sent to the various passport application centres, most of them are yet to be collected.”

According to the Ministry, its centres within Accra and Kumasi currently have about thirty thousand uncollected passports.

They are therefore appealing to applicants to pick up their documents since it may be required for future renewal.

Find the statement from the Ministry below:

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has condemned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration for spending $2.8 million and €1.79 million for the payment of rent for home-based staff of 21 missions. 

The Auditor General in its 2020 report described the payment of these rents as uneconomic and recommended the use of mortgage systems to curtail the situation. 

At PAC’s proceedings on Friday, Mr Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, said the suggested mortgage system of accommodation for missions had been a challenge. 

He said: “The government’s policy is to acquire properties for all its missions abroad but securing finance has been a major challenge to the Ministry.” 

According to Mr Ampratwum-Sarpong, the government’s policy was to acquire properties for the missions, residency, and chancery but the reality on the ground had not made it easy for Foreign Missions to get mortgages in these foreign countries.  

“So far we haven’t succeeded. We are exploring a whole range of avenues to try and raise the funds needed.  

“We have made some progress, and we are hopeful that we will get there,” the Deputy Minister told PAC.  

PAC furthermore raised concerns about the Ministry’s payment of GH¢7.9 million for a project which cost GH¢1.4 million which started in 2007. 

However, according to the Ministry, the project was abandoned by the contractor in 2008 but had the contract reviewed in 2017 at GH¢7.9 million despite the initial 90 per cent payment of the amount. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed reports that the country’s High Commissioner to Australia has been dismissed by President Akufo-Addo.

JoyNews understands that Ghanaians in Australia have been refused consular services because the Head of Mission, Dr. Joseph Nii Sai Coffie-Agoe is not at post.

This has left Ghanaians in Australia in the dark as to what exactly is happening at the mission in Canberra.

Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee on Friday, January 20, the Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong said the High Commissioner just retired and has not been sacked by the President.

He told the Committee that processes have commenced to appoint a new ambassador to Australia.

“No, he has not been sacked…He has retired and has returned to Ghana. We have an acting Head of Mission. So typically the next senior officer becomes the acting Head of Mission until a substantive head is appointed,” he responded to the question by the Chairman of the Committee, James Klutse Avedzi.

Meanwhile, the Ministry also disclosed that it expended an amount of GH¢7,967,886.57 on a project which was originally valued at GH¢1,435,728.99 due to the ill health of the contractor.

The contract for the rehabilitation of Adu Lodge Guest House was awarded to International Development Resources on March 15, 2007.

The Acting Chief Director of the Ministry, Ambassador Ramses Joseph Cleland said the project came to a grind in 2008 after it was awarded in 2007, but was later revisited in March 2019 and upon the request of the consultant, was re-valued to GH¢7,967,886.57 for the same contractor to execute.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said a project that was initially supposed to cost government GH¢1,435,728.99 was executed at GH¢7,967,886.57 because the contractor did not execute on time due to ill health.

The contract for the rehabilitation of Adu Lodge Guest House was awarded to International Development Resources on March 15, 2007.

But according to the Acting Chief Director of the Ministry, Ambassador Ramses Joseph Cleland, the project came to a grind a year later due to the ill health of the contractor.

Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Friday, January 20, 2023, the Ministry said the project was revisited in March 2019 and upon the request of the consultant, was re-valued to GH¢7,967,886.57 for the same contractor to execute.

The Auditor General’s report noted that, as of June 2019, a total of GH¢7,741,501.60 (representing 90% of the contract sum) had already been paid.

According to the Ministry, the project has finally been completed and handed over to the Ministry, after 13 years of delay.

Unsatisfied with the explanation from the Ministry’s explanation, the committee queried whether the terms of the contract allowed for the inability of the contractor to execute the project in due course, to come at a cost to the state.

The Ministry in response said they were unable to speak to that except the estate officer, who was not present at the committee sitting.

The committee has therefore directed the Ministry to furnish the Public Accounts Committee with the contract and all necessary documents for a determination on the matter in its report.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has thrown its weight behind some directives issued by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) to protect the country and its citizens against an upsurge in Covid-19 cases.

According to GACL, passengers arriving in Ghana from China “will be required to undergo mandatory Covid-19 testing on arrival at the Kotoka International Airport at no cost,”

GACL added that “passengers originating their journey from China will be required to present a valid negative Covid-19 PCR test result 48 hours prior to departure from the originating country.”

Backing this stance in a new press release, the Ministry urged the public to take the necessary precaution when travelling to China.

It further stressed that only “essential travels should be undertaken until further notice.”

Since November last year, China has witnessed a surge in cases after the lifting of its most severe restrictions.

But the latest official figures appear to show a relatively low number of new daily cases.

However, there are concerns that these numbers are underestimated due to a recent reduction in Covid testing.

The government reported only 2,097 new daily cases on Sunday.

Epidemiologist Wu Zunyou has said he believes the current spike in infections would run until mid-January, while a second wave would then be triggered by mass travel in January around the week-long Lunar New Year celebrations which begin on 21st January. Millions of people usually travel at this time to spend the holiday with family.

He claims that a third surge in cases would run from late February to mid-March as people return to work after the holiday.

Due to this, a number of countries have announced new entry restrictions on travellers from China, while others such as Italy and Japan require a negative test on arrival.

Some countries, including the United States, attributed the change to China’s lack of information on genome sequencing and Covid-19 variants.

Here in Ghana, the Ghana Health Service noted that the country’s relatively low vaccine coverage poses a major threat of importation and a new wave of COVID-19 infection in the country.

The Service in a press release dated January 1, 2023, said it was taking the needed steps to ensure the situation does not get out of hand.

“This situation calls for tightening and reviewing of existing measures to avert further outbreaks. Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Health are critically monitoring the situation in consultation with key stakeholders. We will shortly come out with our country specific measures to address the current threat of COVID-19, especially with respect to importation,” the Director-General of GHS, Dr. Patrick Kumah-Aboagye assured in the release. 

Subsequently, the Ghana Airports Company (GAC) updated the Covid-19 guidelines for passengers using the Kotoka International Airport.

The revised guidelines take effect from January 6, 2023 at 00:00 hours (UTC).

Huawei Ghana has donated two sets of ultramodern intelligent video conferencing equipment to support the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

The donation which took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, comes as part of efforts to boost the ICT capacity of the Ministry and help facilitate effective remote communication between the Ministry, its stakeholders and international organizations.

Speaking during the brief donation ceremony, the Director of Government and Public Affairs at Huawei Ghana, Jenny Zhou, thanked the Minister for continuously supporting the operations of Huawei in Ghana.

According to her, the donation of the two Huawei Idea Hubs (intelligent video conferencing equipment) is to help the Ministry and its stakeholders carry out its missions efficiently across the globe under both normal and crisis situations.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, thanked Huawei for their support and generosity indicating that the equipment which has come in a timely manner will be put to good use as it will aid with virtual meetings and make communication more convenient.

She also thanked Huawei for supporting the digital transformation agenda of the Government of Ghana since its establishment in the country.

“Huawei is very entrenched in Ghana and we are happy you are here. Following Covid-19, it has now become the norm for many meetings to be held virtually.

“This is to say that this state-of-the-art equipment which has been donated will help us greatly especially for our virtual meetings and for effective interaction with our missions abroad.

“The equipment will be put to good use and handled well as this will take us a long way in ensuring that we represent Ghana and the Ministry well. I would like to say that we are very grateful to Huawei, for the support and thoughtful gesture.”

Mrs Jenny Zhou thanked the Minister for her warm reception and indicated that Huawei as a responsible corporate citizen stays committed to working closely with the Ghanaian government, to promote the development of its ICT infrastructure and help improve the lives of citizens.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ plan to raise an amount of €116 million to reconstruct the Accra International Conference Center (AICC) has been rejected by Parliament.

The Minority Caucus raised concerns at the committee hearing on Wednesday culminating in a rejection of the plan by the House.

Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the project is not a necessity in this current harsh economic climate.

He noted that the reconstruction of the AICC has not been listed among the essential projects for the Ministry under 2023, a reason for the rejection of the budget.

“As we have noted in our report, some members of the Committee expressed their inability to support the reconstruction of the Accra International Conference Centre because of the distressed nature of the current economy.

“They again argue that the reconstruction of the AICC has not been captured in the list of essential projects of the Ministry of Finance for the year 2023.”

The Foreign Affairs Committee has therefore recommended that the Ministry produces the report of the feasibility studies and the structural integrity of the AICC to inform the future decision of the project.

The North Tongu MP explained that the Minority will not support the redevelopment of the AICC when the feasibility report, value for money report and structural integrity report on the project have not been provided.

Mr Ablakwa also described as unnecessary, the plan of the Ministry to open new embassies around the world.

“We (the Minority) do not think that it is a great idea at this time to be opening a new diplomatic mission in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and in Mexico as has been programmed for projects to be executed in 2023.

“We have conveyed our strong objection to this plan by the Ministry,” he added.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has refuted news publication that the United Kingdom (UK) intends deploying special forces to Ghana.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and copied to the Ghana News Agency said the attention of the Government of Ghana had been drawn to a news item carried by a media outlet in the UK and some media houses in Ghana dubbed “British soldiers expected in Ghana after withdrawal from Mali.”

It noted that the story alleged that the British Government had taken a decision to send 300 special forces units to Ghana to support the Accra Initiative.

The statement said the Government of Ghana had no interactions with the UK Government aimed at deploying UK soldiers to Ghana for purposes of operations as described in the story.

It said the Accra Initiative (AI) was a cooperative and collaborative security mechanism, launched in 2017 under the leadership of the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo with his colleagues from Benin, Burkina Faso, the Ivory Coast and Togo.

It noted that the current members of the Initiative were Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso, the Ivory Coast, Togo, Mali and Niger.

It said the Initiative aims to prevent a spillover of terrorism from the Sahel and to address transnational organized crime within the common border areas of member states.

The statement said the initiative was to further exchange intelligence, build capacity and undertake military action against terrorist forces in the Sahel that threaten coastal west Africa.

It said the Accra Initiative is an African-led, African-executed initiative which would depend solely on the armed forces of its member States.

It said the presence of the UK Minister for the Armed Forces in Accra, was to participate in the Accra Initiative Conference on 21^st and 22^nd November 2022.

“The Government of Ghana wishes to state that the information regarding British special forces is false,” it said.

“Neither Ghana nor any other member of the Accra Initiative has discussed with any partner, any such request nor contemplated the involvement of foreign forces in any of their activities.”

The statement noted that some persons on social media had already leapt on the back of the false news item to spread vile accusations against the Ghana Government.

“We urge all patriotic Africans, including Ghanaian patriots, to not fall into the trap of disinformation, misinformation, and fake news that are intended to divide our societies and undermine our unity of purpose,” the statement said.

It said while the member states of the Initiative appreciate the partnerships they share with the international community, either on an individual basis or collectively, the kinds of support envisaged under the Accra Initiative would not extend to the involvement of foreign troops.

It said Mr James Heappey, the British Minister for the Armed Forces, clarified the position in an interview he granted the BBC World Service.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has not received any official notification from the Electoral Commission (EC) pertaining to a planned registration of Ghanaians abroad for purposes of participation in 2024 general election. 

Mr Thomas Mbomba, a Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, in-charge of Administration and Finance, made the disclosure on the floor of the House in his respond to a question by Mr Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwame Dafeamekpor, the Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi. 

The MP asked the Deputy Minister whether or not Ghana’s Foreign Missions were assisting the EC to conduct the registration of Ghanaians resident abroad for purposes of their participation in any forthcoming general election in 2024. 

Mr Mbomba indicated that the Ministry had not received any request from the EC in respect of which assistance would be required from the Ministry. 

“Mr Speaker, respectfully, my answer to the question is that my Ministry is not aware of plans of the Electoral Commission to register Ghanaians for purposes of their participation in any forthcoming general election in 2024 nor has its assistance been elicited for such and exercise,” Mr Mbomba said. 

“I would, therefore, advise that the question is directed to the appropriate body which is the Electoral Commission,” he added. 

Sitting has been adjourned to Wednesday, November 23at 1000 hours. 

The Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Ministry has cautioned citizens to be wary of traveling to Abuja, Nigeria.

The Ministry in a travel advisory note dated November 16, 2022, advised that non-essential travels to the Nigerian capital should be avoided.

This, the Ministry explained, is due to “the unpredictable security situation in the city and the high danger of terrorism, criminality, inter-communal conflict, armed attacks, and kidnappings.”

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration wishes to inform the travelling public about security developments in Abuja, Nigeria and the subsequent directive by local authorities to hotels operating in residential buildings to shut down,” the Ministry stated.

According to the release, the Ministry will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates to the public when the situation improves.

I was told many years ago about a common refrain in newsrooms: “If it bleeds, it leads”.  In other words, the bloodier an event, the more prominent its place in the newspaper or bulletin. I believe this axiom still holds true today. It explains why the catastrophic sights and sounds – the bleeding – in Ukraine is top of mind for the world. And justifiably so.

However, as Ghana assumes the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council in November, the world cannot afford to focus solely on events in Ukraine, its impact on the living conditions of people everywhere notwithstanding.

We cannot forget that before the invasion of Ukraine, COVID-19 exposed the lack of resilience in the economies in which the majority of the global population lives. In fact, the war in Ukraine exacerbated the harsh effects of the downturn many countries were already experiencing, deepening poverty, unemployment and food insecurity.

We cannot forget either that the UN Security Council faced a leadership crisis in finding better ways to respond to threats to international peace and security, as the nature of those threats were, themselves, changing. Africa, for instance, has become the epicentre of terrorism. Meanwhile, in the countries where the UN maintains its signature peacekeeping missions, some of the host countries have chosen, instead, to engage third parties, sometimes in conflict with the operations of UN peacekeepers.

It is clear that the ways in which the Security Council approaches the mandate for international peace and security ought to change if we are to have sustainable peace, which is a prerequisite for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030. Right now we are running out of time in transforming the lives of people and saving our planet.

At the UN, Security Council reforms are often seen only in terms of expanding the permanent membership and power of veto to make the council more representative of all of the peoples of the world. Those reforms are essential and necessary. But we believe that it is equally important to look at another area of reforms that would enable peace to serve the needs of ordinary people for resilience and good quality of life.

In this, we are inspired by the example of the second Secretary‐General of the UN, Dag Hammarskjold, who had an innovative approach to the possibilities of the UN and its Charter and is credited with the introduction of peacekeeping. The bold act of adopting a General Assembly Resolution on November 7, 1956, which launched the first peacekeeping operation in history, the UN Emergency Force in the Middle East (UNEF), at a time when it was urgently needed, should inspire us in our time to act equally boldly because circumstances have changed.

Like Hammarskjold, we must recognize that “the purposes of the Charter (are)  fixed and binding, but the working methods of the Organisation must be flexible and innovative”.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana and I are calling on the Council to consider that time has come for another departure from the norm as Hammarskjöld did when UNEF was established. 

As my country Ghana prepares to preside over two high-level debates of the Council, we want to focus, like a laser beam, on the security gap and the need for a new and innovative template for success. That template should consider the factors that make peacekeeping operations almost permanent, and why individuals and communities become susceptible to radicalisation and recruitment as terrorists, driving the new face of threats to international peace and security. 

In the Sahel and coastal West Africa, the countries that were the most successful in reaching striking distance of the SDGs, especially on poverty reduction and education, now find themselves struggling, as poorer countries rather shoulder the worst impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Climate Change and conflict in Europe. High fiscal deficits, escalating debt and downturns in economic activity are pushing us out of the bond markets at a time when inequality soars and unemployment and underemployment of millions are turning frustration into hopelessness. Increasingly, even some of the middle classes in Africa and other developing countries are beginning to lose faith in the democratic systems they fought so hard to establish.  

The road back to robust growth, which Ghana and a number of African countries experienced successively in the years before COVID-19 struck, is currently a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea. We have to either impose IMF-guided austerity, potentially leading to labour retrenchment and accompanying social instability, as witnessed in Argentina and elsewhere, or home-grown yet equally tough decisions to satisfy the markets and, hopefully, pave the way back to a functioning economy. The harsh sacrifices required, themselves, have become a source of instability and an invitation to malign actors.

In the Sahel, climate-induced insecurity, poverty, high illiteracy rates and education that neither teaches skills nor a culture of peace and non-violence (SDG Target 4.7), youth unemployment and the absence of the State in large swathes of territory have created the environment in which terrorists thrive and undermine the effectiveness of the kinetic military operations to root them out.

It is clear that the critical need to fill the security gap brought on by economic and other root causes of conflict should be a priority for promoting and maintaining international peace and security. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been insistent on the need for funding the entire peace continuum, including increasing resources for programmatic financing, and for a mechanism for fighting terrorism in Africa. 

The Council can no longer turn a blind eye to the accumulating evidence before us. That means ensuring that UN Security Council-mandated peace support missions or counter-terrorism have a balanced approach to both the military and civil components, with as many resources devoted to building community resilience, access to good quality education and training, and mitigating climate impacts and reclaiming land and water bodies on which communities depend.   

It means standing with other organs of the UN to advocate for a new model of development cooperation that reinforces the capacity of developing countries to deepen their development resilience. I know that these may not make for easy headlines but we must bring attention to, and act on them as a matter of preventive urgency.

It is time for bold thinking and bolder action or we shall simply run out of time, leaving us with neither peace nor development – except bloodier headlines.

****

The writer is the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana.

Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has refuted claims that the country and 19 others have been barred from entering the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to the Ministry, it has received no such directive from the authorities in the UAE and as such the claim should be disregarded.

This comes on the back of a DW Africa Facebook post which alleged that the UAE has announced a visa ban on nationals from 20 African countries seeking to visit Dubai starting from 24^th October, 2022.

Affected countries are Ghana, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Cameroon, Nigeria, Liberia, Burundi, Republic of Guinea, Gambia, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Benin, Ivory Coast, Congo, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Comoros and Uganda.

According to the Germany-based news outlet, one of the reasons given for the ban is that many who arrive on visit visas end up overstaying in the country illegally while working, without legalising their stay.

However, reacting to the claim, the Ministry has explained that the UAE has instead reviewed the requirements for its tourist and visit visas.

The revision of visa regimes and requirements includes the following; the 30-day single entry visas have been put on hold; a 60-day multiple visa entry regime is currently in force; and travellers to the UAE should secure a round-trip ticket and a hotel booking prior to the visa application.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has intimated that government attaches strong importance to the welfare and interests of citizens.

The minister made the remarks at a brief ceremony in Paris when she joined President Akufo-Addo to commission a newly-renovated embassy for the Republic of Ghana, located in the prime area of the 16th Arrondissement of Paris.

The foreign mission is housed in the famous Villa Saïd named after Mohamed Sa’id Pasha, a former Prime Minister of Egypt.

Upon President Akufo-Addo’s directive , the refurbished facility was included in the list of Ghana’s Diplomatic Missions to benefit from the Société Générale Bank credit facility acquired to purchase, construct, reconstruct and/or renovate Ghana Missions abroad.

Taking her turn to address the gathering at the inaugural ceremony, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey expressed gratitude to the President for his support towards the execution of the project. The minister also singled out Ghana’s Ambassador to France, Anna Bossman, for her determination which has seen to the successful completion of the project.

According to her, the Paris Mission is significant and touches all aspects of diplomacy – bilateral, multilateral and economic diplomacy in all its forms and expressions in the prosecution of Ghana’s foreign policy agenda.

“To the Ghanaian community, this is your home. By this renovation, your government is sending a strong message of the importance we attach to the interests of our citizens, which is the priority of our diplomacy. The beautifully-fitted consular section should complement the high-quality services we provide for your satisfaction. Enjoy it as you cooperate with our officers, who are ever ready to assist you in all that you need. Let us keep the flag of Ghana high,” Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said.

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo who is also in France has received an award of Doctor Honoris Causa conferred on him by the reputable Sorbonne University.

The Foreign Affairs Minister could not hide her joy over the accolade as she indicated that the President’s “service and sacrifices to the nation and humanity will always be recognised”. She is hopeful this example would spur citizens to do more for God and country.

It is important to note that France is one of the first countries that Ghana established diplomatic relations with following the country’s independence in 1957.

Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey says Ghana will not recognise any annexation of Ukrainian territories by the Russian Federation.

Addressing a special meeting of the United Nations (UN) Security Council on the Maintenance of the peace and security of Ukraine in New York City on Thursday, She noted that Ghana remains committed to its position that the Russian invasion of Ukraine is in breach of international law and unjustified.

“We have expressed several times our principled position against the aggression on Ukraine which we consider to be a disregard for the rules of international law and the principles of the charter (UN Charter).

Ukraine as a sovereign state and a member of this organization (UN) has every right we believe and indeed, a responsibility to defend its territorial integrity and political independence” Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said.

“Ghana does not, and will not recognize any territory that is unilaterally and forcefully acquired as dismembered from a sovereign entity” Miss Botchwey added.

Seize fire

In her statement, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration reiterate Ghana’s call “on the Russian Federation, to immediately and unconditionally seize its operations, withdraw its troops from the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine” and to respect its western “neighbour’s sovereignty and political independence”.

“The need for a credible pathway for a genuine diplomatic process is urgent. The barrel of the gun does not provide such a pathway.

It only leads to needless loss of lives and destruction on both sides. Indeed, the cost of the war has been high, not only for the parties but also for the rest of the world” Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said.

Proposed referenda

After stunning battlefield setbacks in the last two weeks, Russia moved to cement its grip on territory it occupies in eastern and southern Ukraine (Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk) as Kremlin proxies there announced plans on Tuesday for referendums on annexation to Russia, indicating a possible escalation of the seven months old war.

The Kremlin signalled that if Russia were to go forward with annexation, even if no other countries recognized it, any further military action by Ukraine in those regions could be seen as an attack on Russia itself, justifying any military response by the nation with the world’s largest nuclear arsenal.

Partial mobilisation

In what is seen by several international law experts as an escalation of Russia’s war in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin, announced on Tuesday 21 September 2022, a “partial mobilization” of Russian citizens in what would see 300,000 reservists called up, according to the Defence Minister of Russia, Sergei Shoigu.

Putin in his announcement said those with military experience would be subject to conscription, and stressed that the decree, which was already signed, was necessary to “protect our homeland, its sovereignty and its territorial integrity.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has said it is probing claims of Ghanaian passports issued to foreigners.

The Ministry said it will take appropriate measures to deal with the issue. 

It comes on the back of widespread social media reports that some foreign nationals living in the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf States are in possession of Ghanaian passports. 

“The Ministry is investigating the said allegation and would take appropriate measures to deal with the situation if found to be true,” it said in a press statement.

The Ministry also explained that the processes for the current biometric passports being issued by the Passport Office are being scrutinised. 

According to the Ministry, new applicants will be made to go through rigorous vetting processes to make it practically impossible for unqualified persons including foreign nationals from acquiring Ghanaian passports.

It also said it is an offence under Ghanaian laws for foreigners to acquire Ghanaian passports. 

It insisted that persons found culpable will be arrested by security agencies and prosecuted. 

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration wishes to assure the general public that it would continue to adopt relevant measures in the issuance of Ghanaian passports in order to uphold and protect the integrity of the travel document,” it further added. 

Meanwhile, the Ministry also called on persons with credible evidence on foreigners in possession of Ghanaian passports to approach the Ministry for onward action.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has intervened to mediate the dispute between the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, and the British High Commissioner, Harriet Thompson.

The Ministry in a press release indicated that it “has noted with concern the intense public debate that has been generated by the communication between the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the British High Commissioner in Accra.”

 “In line with the general diplomatic practice of communicating with diplomatic Missions, preferably through direct engagement, the Ministry wishes to remain circumspect on its pronouncements on the matter,” portions of the release stated.

The release added that “We have therefore initiated contact with both the British High Commissioner and Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to resolve the issue at stake.”

The Ministry assured of “its commitment to the strong historical bonds between Ghana and the United Kingdom, which through the years, have been deepened by, among others, the exchange of high-level visits on both sides as well as increased cooperation on trade, investments and security.

“We take this opportunity to reaffirm the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two countries.”

Background

The British High Commissioner on May 17, tweeted, “Oliver Barker Vormawor, convener of #FixTheCountry Movement, arrested again, I understand for a motoring offence on his way to court. I’ll be interested to see where this goes.”

The tweet comes after officers of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service arrested Mr. Barker-Vormawor on Tuesday, May 17 and was charged with careless and inconsiderate driving and granted bail to the tune of GH¢30,000 bail with two sureties.

But the tweet irritated the police, who in turn responded with a four paged letter signed by Dr Akufo Dampare.

According to the Police, Madam Harriet Thompson’s tweet was from either a “biased or uninformed position”, adding that UK High Commissioner’s tweet violates the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations

The Ghana Police Service asked the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, to mind her own business.

But the UK High Commissioner also in an interview on GHone TV stated that she did not expect a response from the IGP at all.

According to British High Commissioner, the reaction which accompanied her tweet depicts that “it has not been received in the way that was intended.”

Ghanaian students who were evacuated from Ukraine say they have regretted returning to the country because the government has failed to deliver promises made to them.

They say despite the assurances of securing schools for them, nothing has been done by the state to help them.

This comes months after they fled the Ukraine-Russia war.

“We had a couple of meetings initially and they [government] made us understand that they are very much positioned to help us and secure schools for us.

“They requested data which we made available to them. Everything seems so slow. We do not know what is happening now,” President of the Ukraine Chapter of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) said.

According to Philip Bobbie Ansah, the students are frustrated because “we do not know what is causing the delay.”

“Some of us refused to come to Ghana which seems like the best decision because they have opportunities. It now looks like it was a mistake for some of us to come to Ghana,” he told Accra-based Citi FM.

More than 1,000 students in several Ukrainian universities were repatriated by government following the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

Others refused to return to Ghana but government assured those who came to the country of options available to ensure continuity of their education.

Currently, “students and administrators have given them [government] everything they asked for;” yet, they student have lamented the long silence of state authorities.

Following the closure of Ukraine’s airspace, Ghanaians travelled by land to countries such as Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic for safety.

With the support of its honorary consuls and diplomatic missions, the Foreign Affairs Ministry rescued many stranded Ghanaians and brought them home.

Prior to this, all the Ghanaian students, along with other Africans and Asians in Ukraine, faced widespread discrimination in their attempts to leave the country.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy (LECIAD) will on Wednesday hold a public lecture on Ghana’s tenure at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

The lecture will be held at the LECIAD Auditorium, University of Ghana at 3 pm on the theme “Collective Security in a Changing Global World Order: An Overview of Ghana’s Tenure at the UN Security Council, 2022-2023.”

The Speaker is the Special Adviser to the Foreign Affairs Minister, Kwabena Osei-Danquah.

A seasoned career diplomat, Osei-Danquah was Chef de Cabinet to the President of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly.

Ghana was elected to the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member in June 2021 to serve a two-year term from January 2022 to December 2023.

Ghana will assume the presidency of the Security Council in November, this year.

This will be the fourth time Ghana is sitting on the Council, the only arm of the UN with the authority to issue binding resolutions on member states.

Ghana’s last tenure was in 2006-2007 when President Akufo-Addo was Foreign Minister.

The programme will be chaired by the Chief Executive Officer of the John Agyekum Kuffour Foundation, Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has announced that the Passport Office is unable to issue the 48-page passport booklets until further notice.

In a press release dated 1 April, 2022, the Ministry explained that this is due to “a surge in demand for these booklets and the continuing challenges with the supply chain.”

In view of this challenge, the Ministry noted that the Passport Office can only issue the 32-page booklets currently available to applicants who requested for the 48-page booklets.

According to the Ministry, affected applicants would neither be required to submit another application for the 32-page booklets nor pay any additional costs.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry added that it is taking the appropriate steps to ensure the necessary refunds are made to qualified applicants.

Despite the challenges, the Ministry has assured the commitment of the Passport Office to “expedite service and customer satisfaction.”

“We thank the general public for their understanding, patience and support during this exceptional period,” the Ministry concluded.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry says the government has successfully repatriated a total of 226 Ghanaians from Ukraine as of Friday, March 18.

A statement issued by the Ministry said the evacuation process for these nationals was funded by the government, with support from its honorary consuls and the Mental Health Authority which offered psycho-social services to “our distressed compatriots.”

These persons were rescued through neighbouring countries by land due to the shutdown of Ukraine’s airspace since the beginning of the unrest in the country.

It forms part of government’s partnership with diplomatic missions and stakeholders to get all Ghanaian nationals evacuated to safer zones and back to the country.

“Most Ghanaians in Ukraine, including those under siege, have reportedly left to neighbouring countries. So far, the Ministry has not been notified of any tragic loss of life or serious injury to our compatriots.

“The Government of Ghana, through its Honorary Consulate in Hungary, continues to monitor the situation and is redoubling efforts towards completing the evacuation of the remaining hatch of students and other Ghanaians there,” the statement said.

The Ministry expressed worry that despite government’s readiness to airlift home the stranded Ghanaians, some are refusing evacuation.

This was after the government had purchased tickets and paid for their Covid-19 test because they had previously expressed willingness to be evacuated.

“The government of Ghana wishes to seize this opportunity to express its profound gratitude to governments, international humanitarian organisations, religious bodies, groups, and individuals, notably the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, the Church of Pentecost and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) for their support, which in diverse ways culminated in the success of this very important national assignment.”

“The government also appreciates the efforts of the hardworking officers of our Diplomatic Missions in Prague, Berne, the Vatican City, Moscow, Ankara, Vienna and Berlin as well as our Honorary Consuls in Hungary, Romania, Poland and Slovakia in the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals.”

At least two batches of evacuated Ghanaians have already arrived in Accra since the beginning of March.

With the closure of Ukraine’s airspace following the invasion of Russia, the options available to Ghanaians have been travel by land to countries such as Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.

Earlier, all the Ghanaian students, along with other Africans and Asians in Ukraine, faced widespread discrimination in their attempts to leave the country.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has denied allegations that it did not seek to uphold the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations in the matter of the demolition of the Bulgarian Embassy.

Addressing a press conference at the Ministry on Wednesday, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong said the government is mindful of its obligations under the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

“At no point did the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representing the Government of Ghana, neglect its responsibility of protecting the property of the Bulgarians,” he said.

The Deputy Minister noted that the government, upon being informed of the encroachment on the Embassy’s land, invited the parties and their lawyers to a series of meetings in January this year, to resolve the matter.

He revealed that these efforts notwithstanding, the Ministry has not succeeded in resolving the matter. Rather, the private developer has reached an advanced stage with its encroachment of the Bulgarian Embassy property.

However, the Deputy Minister said the Ministry is still working to resolve the matter, stressing that government has no hand in the encroachment on the Bulgarian Embassy.

“We have not been sleeping, we have been on the ball and we have given whatever we can… The Ministry has not slept. The Ministry has not reneged on its obligation to the Bulgarians. It is something that has been on the table day in day out,” he stated.

Narrating the controversy surrounding the ownership of the land on which the Bulgarian Embassy is sited which has led to the current situation, the Deputy Minister said one late Theophilus Kofi Leighton owned the land upon which he leased it to the Bulgarian Embassy in February 1979.

Mr. Leighton then extended the lease to 50 years in 1983. However, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong noted that upon the demise of Theophilus Kofi Leighton, the administrator of his estate attempted to forcefully repossess the property over alleged arrears owed by the Bulgarian Embassy.

Unbeknownst to the administrator of the estate, the Bulgarian Embassy had made full payment of the property to the late Mr. Leighton.

The Deputy Minister said the government, being mindful of its obligation to protect the Bulgarian Embassy, summoned both parties for an amicable solution of the matter.

He added that the administrator of the estate dissatisfied with the conciliatory approach by the government, filed a writ for declaration of title to the property housing the Bulgarian Embassy on the basis of non-payment of accumulated rent and order for ejection and recovery of the Bulgarian property.

According to him, the High Court then granted some part of the relief sought by the administrator of the estate, but the matter was appealed at the Court of Appeal which reversed the decision of the High Court.

He said the matter was subsequently heard at the Supreme Court and the Apex court reaffirmed the decision by the Court of Appeal dated July 21, 2011 which affirmed the right of the Bulgarian Embassy in the leased property.

Notwithstanding the ruling of the Supreme Court, the administrator of the estate later sold the property to a private developer who has since encroached the Bulgarian Embassy.

Some personnel from the Cantonments Police Station on Tuesday were reported to have demolished the Bulgarian Embassy.

Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, made this known on his Facebook page on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, adding that the Honorary Consul, Mr. Nicolaas C.M. van Staalduinen was also assaulted in his effort to restrain them.

“According to eyewitnesses, the armed rogue elements with extra fortification from deviant land guards and errant personnel allegedly from the Cantonments Police Station had the sheer effrontery in broad daylight to evict Bulgarian Embassy staff, throw out invaluable assets belonging to the Bulgarians and assault the Honorary Consul, Mr. Nicolaas C.M. van Staalduinen in his effort to restrain them,” he said.

Mr. Ablakwa noted that the development amounts to courting war with the Bulgarians.

The Foreign Ministry says government has reached an agreement with Russian President, Vladimir Putin, to allow for the safe passage of Ghanaians, particularly students, in war zones in his territory.

According to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, the Red Cross has also agreed to participate in evacuating Ghanaian citizens caught up in Kharkiv.

“As of this morning, 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,” he added.

The Deputy Minister announced this on Friday morning when they received the second batch of Ghanaian nationals who escaped from Ukraine to Poland.

According to AdomNews, 24 compatriots arrived at the Kotoka International Aiport (KIA) on Friday, March 4.

Government has been undertaking a number of processes in partnership with diplomatic missions, honorary consuls and stakeholders to get all Ghanaian nationals evacuated to safer zones.

Meanwhile, Mr Ampratwum-Sarpong has noted that the Hungarian government has agreed to take in the affected Ghanaian students who are prepared to transfer to universities or continue their education in Hungary.

He added that “they are prepared to match whatever facilities, whatever financial obligations being paid in Hungary, so there is a window of opportunity that all is not lost.”

Also, the Ghana Psychology Council has registered its readiness 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.

On March 1, the first batch of Ghanaian nationals evacuated from Ukraine, including students, arrived in Accra.

They were rescued through neighbouring countries by land due to the shutdown of Ukraine’s airspace since the beginning of the unrest in the country.

Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Thomas Mbomba, has paid a visit to Ghanaian students who escaped to Hungary amidst the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Mr Thomas Mbomba met his compatriots in Budapest.

He engaged the over 10 Ghanaians to find out their needs to enable the government to provide them with needed support in the interim.

The Deputy Majority Leader, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, made the disclosure in a tweet on Friday, March 4.

According to him, the Akufo-Addo-led government must be commended for its swift response following the tension in the Russia-Ukraine region.

The Nsawam Adoagyiri MP noted that even when the “closure of Ukrainian airspace complicated matters”, the government was able to work efficiently to save its citizens.

Government has been undertaking a number of processes in partnership with diplomatic missions, honorary consuls and stakeholders to get all Ghanaian nationals evacuated to safer zones.

Also on March 3, Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee in Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, met with Ghanaian students who evacuated from Ukraine to Romania for refuge.

Mr Ablakwa assessed their current conditions when he hosted them for lunch at Bucharest.

According to him, this was imperative so as to help understand their situation and the steps government should take to assist them.

Meanwhile, the second batch of Ghanaian nationals who escaped from Ukraine to Poland for refuge including students, arrived in Accra today.

According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, 24 compatriots arrived at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) on Friday morning.

The first batch of Ghanaian nationals evacuated from Ukraine, including students, has arrived in Accra.

These persons were rescued through neighbouring countries by land due to the shutdown of Ukraine’s airspace since the beginning of the unrest in the country.

Government has been undertaking a number of processes in partnership with diplomatic missions, honorary consuls and stakeholders to get all Ghanaian nationals evacuated to safer zones.

A Foreign Ministry representative helping with the evacuation exercise, Dr Albert Kitcher, said many of the students left stranded in Ukraine continue to arrive at the Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Poland borders.

He has so far received 45 of them who successfully crossed the Ukraine border on Monday.

“These are mostly students. For the non-students, I know some who have gone on their own. There are about four or five different steps that you take before you get to the border and then get on the plane. These people are leaving from the city of Kyiv; so, they are in the territory of Ukraine.”

“As they are leaving, the person leading the bus is constantly in touch with me and some of the student leaders, and we’re coordinating as and when they are on the road.

“As they are going, we’re giving information to the Ghana Mission so that when the people arrive, they would be there to receive them,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry is expected to meet relatives of affected Ghanaians in Ukraine to engage them on efforts being made to get those persons back in the country.

According to the Minister, over 220 Ghanaians in Ukraine have safely exited the country as of midday on Sunday, February 27.

Addressing the nation on Sunday, the Minister announced that government has instituted the necessary measures to facilitate the transportation, accommodation, feeding, medical support and flights for the evacuated citizens.

She also mentioned that over 460 students are already in transit to neighbouring countries like Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

“We hope for better days as the Ministry further engages our diplomatic Missions and Honorary Consulates to extend consular assistance to our compatriots. Therefore, we are earnestly facilitating the safe return of a lot more,” she said.

Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has launched an unprecedented attack on Ukraine.

The move comes after Putin ordered troops into two pro-Russian, breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine last week.

There have been multiple reports of explosions, bombings, and Russian Military vehicles entering Ukraine from various parts of the border with Russia, with a growing number of casualties being counted on both sides.

Recent tensions have stemmed from Russia’s opposition to Ukraine’s moves towards European institutions like North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the European Union (EU).

Government says it has appealed to five neighbouring countries to Ukraine to facilitate the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals.

This was disclosed by the Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey during a press briefing in Accra on Sunday, February 27, 2022.

The five countries she said are; Moldova, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.

“Fortunately, the Government of Moldova has officially indicated it willingness to facilitate the passage of Foreign Nationals based on a structured exercise,” she noted.

She said the evacuation by land to neighbouring countries has become necessary due to the closure of Ukraine’s airspace.

The Minister also revealed that through diplomatic efforts, Ghana has secured passage through Hungary, on a visa-free basis for Ghanaian students who are in possession of Ghanaian passports.

“We are told the Hungarian government is also providing coordinated assistance to enable our nationals reach airports in Budapest or Debrecen. The Government of Ghana is grateful to the Hungarian Government,” she said.

Meanwhile, over 220 Ghanaians in Ukraine have safely exited the country as of midday on Sunday, February 27.

Addressing the nation on Sunday, the Minister announced that government has instituted the necessary measures to facilitate the transportation, accommodation, feeding, medical support and flights for the evacuated citizens.

“We hope for better days as the Ministry further engages our diplomatic Missions and Honorary Consulates to extend consular assistance to our compatriots. We are earnestly facilitating the safe return of a lot more.”

“These numbers are bound to increase in a few days as we observe a team spirit being displayed by our people, our citizens and our students. They are reaching out to one other, setting up groups, WhatsApp chats, sharing important phone numbers of Consular officers and other personalities who could be of assistance,” she said.

She also mentioned that over 460 students are already in transit to neighbouring countries such as Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

“The students will be received by officials of our diplomatic missions, Honorary Consuls and officials of the student unions or associations.”

Breakdown of figures

According to the Minister, 24 persons have arrived in Bucharest, Romania. The officer on the ground is procuring tickets for them to leave tomorrow en route to Accra.

She said 48 are being processed at the holding area and another 60 going through border formalities to get to Romania.

“38 having crossed into Poland are with our officials. We are currently also making arrangements for those who are willing to be assisted to get on flights. 25 persons en route to Prague from Slovakia were assisted by the Honorary Consul and will be received on entry by the Mission in Prague.”

“25 just this morning arrived in Hungary and are being sheltered at the Pentecostal church in Budapest. 85 of our compatriots are being assisted by our Embassy in Moscow to cross the border town of Suny into Russia which as indicated earlier has posed serious difficulties,” she stated.

The Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has revealed that over 220 Ghanaians in Ukraine have safely exited the country as of midday on Sunday, February 27.

She said this was achieved through a number of collaborative efforts the government made with its diplomatic partners, missions and consulates.

Addressing the nation on Sunday, the Minister announced that government has instituted the necessary measures to facilitate the transportation, accommodation, feeding, medical support and flights for the evacuated citizens.

“We hope for better days as the Ministry further engages our diplomatic Missions and Honorary Consulates to extend consular assistance to our compatriots. We are earnestly facilitating the safe return of a lot more.”

“These numbers are bound to increase in a few days as we observe a team spirit being displayed by our people, our citizens and our students. They are reaching out to one other, setting up groups, WhatsApp chats, sharing important phone numbers of Consular officers and other personalities who could be of assistance,” she said.

She also mentioned that over 460 students are already in transit to neighbouring countries such as Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

“The students will be received by officials of our diplomatic missions, Honorary Consuls and officials of the student unions or associations.”

Breakdown of figures

According to the Minister, 24 persons have arrived in Bucharest, Romania. The officer on the ground is procuring tickets for them to leave tomorrow en route to Accra.

She said 48 are being processed at the holding area and another 60 going through border formalities to get to Romania.

“38 having crossed into Poland are with our officials. We are currently also making arrangements for those who are willing to be assisted to get on flights. 25 persons en route to Prague from Slovakia were assisted by the Honorary Consul and will be received on entry by the Mission in Prague.”

“25 just this morning arrived in Hungary and are being sheltered at the Pentecostal church in Budapest. 85 of our compatriots are being assisted by our Embassy in Moscow to cross the border town of Suny into Russia which as indicated earlier has posed serious difficulties,” she stated.

Since the Russian Federation and Belarus started military operations in Ukraine on the 24th of February, 2022, hundreds of lives have been lost through bombardments. Normal life in Ukraine has also been disrupted for the rest of its citizens, including for those of our compatriots living in Ukraine. The Government of Ghana remains concerned for the safety and security of our people currently in Ukraine.

As you will recall, Ghana, in her capacity as a non-permanent member of the United  Nations Security Council had supported calls and efforts to dissuade the Russian Federation from using force to address what it said were its security concerns related to NATO expansion. We encouraged dialogue and peaceful resolution of the differences between Russia and other parties.

We also warned of the humanitarian consequences of any conflict. With the security and safety of our compatriots in mind, we actively monitored the massing of over 100, 000 Russian and Belorussian troops on the borders of Ukraine. Like the rest of the world, we accepted the word of Russia that they did not intend to attack Ukraine. 

On 24th February, 2022, we were stunned by news of the bombardment and invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation. I would like to state, at the outset, that Ghana will continue to condemn, unreservedly, this unprovoked attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a United Nations Member State and calls on Russia to withdraw and end the war.

Russia bears responsibility for the security and safety of our citizens and we call on her leadership to respect humanitarian law. Government is determined to ensure the security and safety of all our citizens in Ukraine. The ongoing military operations have put the lives of our compatriots in danger and we have called on Russia to end the war and withdraw.  

Members of the Media,
Ladies and gentlemen,
 
GHANA’S INTERESTS IN UKRAINE
 
Relations between Ghana and Ukraine have been steady and in 2021, the Government of Ghana granted approval to the government of Ukraine to establish a resident diplomatic mission in Ghana in accordance with article 2 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961.
 
Economic and trade exports between Ghana and Ukraine have been quite encouraging as major exports from Ghana include manganese, aluminium ore and cocoa powder, whereas major imports to Ghana from Ukraine included hot-rolled iron bars, raw iron bars and cold-rolled iron. Practical steps were underway to further enhance our relations. However, the current crisis is bound to affect, for now, any meaningful strategic outcomes.

EFFECTS OF THE CRISIS ON GHANAIAN NATIONALS IN UKRAINE
 
Members of the Media,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Following the attacks by Russian forces on Ukraine, the latter closed its airspace to civilian flights. The country is considered a high risk to flight safety due to the use of weapon and military equipment. Also, the European Union (EU) aviation safety agency has warned the risk in flying in airspace near to Ukraine’s border, including Russia. 
 
Ghanaian students like all foreigners including our compatriots in Ukraine have, therefore found themselves in a very precarious situation. Consequently, based on the overall objective of government to ensure the safety of our citizens in the ongoing crisis, directives were immediately issued to five of our relevant Diplomatic Missions in Europe as well as our Honorary consulate in Ukraine to immediately commence steps to evacuate our willing compatriots.
 
The deteriorating military situation in Ukraine directly impacts on the safety and security of Ghanaian nationals, including about 1000 students in that country, 27 of these students are on the government of Ghana scholarships (scholarships secretariat), while the rest are predominantly self sponsored students.  Let me state categorically that although most of the students went there on their own, government has a responsibility to all of them to ensure their safety and that we will do.
 
Following the closure of Ukrainian airspace, it had become a challenge to airlift our compatriots from Kiev and other parts of the country, thus, leaving the only viable option of evacuation by land to neighboring countries such as Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Czech Republic.
 
Consequently, my Ministry collaborated with the Ghana Diplomatic Missions in Bern in Switzerland, Prague in the Czech Republic, Ankara, Turkey, and the Vatican, Holy See, Ghana’s Honorary Consuls in Ukraine, Hungary, Romania as well as Ghanaian communities and student unions in Poland, Hungary and Romania to facilitate the evacuation of our nationals after being conveyed from Ukraine by road to the closest borders of the European Countries mentioned earlier.

May I, however, add that information received indicates that there are still three cities in Ukraine where students cannot be evacuated from due to the high risk situation identified there, as reported by our Honorary consul. These cities are: Kharkov (hotspot on the way), Sumy (hotspot on the way), and Dnipropetrovsk (locked down).

Another challenge which our compatriots are faced with is the fear of crossing at borders close to Russia for obvious reasons. We had requested our Diplomatic mission in Moscow to assist with their passage as it will be unreasonable and dangerous to now start looking for another border to access. Unfortunately, there are reports of incursions at the border called Suny which has posed a challenge for about 85 of our compatriots who sought to exit that side of Ukraine into Russia.

STEPS TAKEN
 
Ladies and gentlemen,

We can confirm that an unknown number of Ghanaian Students are reported to have left Ukraine a week or so ago following Bern Mission’s advice as the situation was getting dire.

The Ghana Mission to Berne issued the statement below, which is also available on the twitter handle of the Ministry:
 
“The Government of Ghana has noted with grave concern the security and safety of our nationals including the over 1000 students in Ukraine following the Russian military operations across in that country.
 
We urge our nationals to limit their movements in public places as they obtain adequate essential goods and remain in their homes or move to government places of shelter.

Please be assured that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, this diplomatic mission as well as our honorary consul are directly engaged with the relevant authorities in Ukraine to ensure your safety and security”.

Furthermore, officials of the Ministry held a meeting with the leadership of the Ghana and Ukrainian NUGS to brainstorm on the way forward including plans of evacuation.

A list of our students was compiled to facilitate a Government-facilitated evacuation and this information of a possible evacuation was conveyed to the students through our relevant Diplomatic Missions, Honorary Consul and student union leaders, to prepare them for the exercise.
 
Having assessed the situation, the students commenced movement by road to the various borders where officials of Ghana’s relevant Diplomatic Missions and Honorary Consuls are on standby to facilitate their passage into countries such as Romania, Poland and Hungary.

We need to appreciate the fat that coordinating evacuations in vast country such as Ukraine with students and Ghanaians spread all over the country comes with difficulties especially with restricted movement due to curfews, lockdowns etc.

Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration have held productive meetings with diplomats of the Russian and Turkish Embassies in Accra to discuss the pathway to an incident-free evacuation exercise. Both meetings resulted in an agreement to facilitate passage of our compatriots, should the need arise.
 
Other meetings were held with the officials of the Scholarship Secretariat and a Ghanaian security institution all in a bid to promote multi- stakeholder engagement towards a successful evacuation of our compatriots.
 
The Ministry has requested five European countries bordering Ukraine (Moldova, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia) to facilitate easy passage into their countries by our compatriots. Fortunately, the Government of Moldova has officially indicated it willingness to facilitate the passage of Foreign Nationals based on a structured exercise.
 
Steps are being taken to secure the contact numbers of parents or guardians of our students to enable the Ministry engage them as we seek to ensure the safety of our compatriots and allay their fears.
 
 
 CONCRETE OUTCOMES

The Ministry has despatched officials from our missions to various borders to assist our compatriots when they cross into neighbouring countries. 

Due to the effective collaboration with the Hungarian authorities, the Government of Ghana has, secured passage through Hungary, on a visa-free basis for Ghanaian students who are in possession of Ghanaian passports.  We are told the Hungarian government is also providing coordinated assistance to enable our nationals reach airports in Budapest or Debrecen. The Government of Ghana is grateful to the Hungarian Government.
 
This effective collaboration has also led to the Romanian Government according a warm reception to our compatriots. As is the case in humanitarian exercises, women and children have been given priority. The Government of Ghana is equally grateful to the Government of Romania for its Philanthropic gesture.
 
Indeed, the goodwill displayed by these friendly nations is a testament to the sound bilateral relations that exist between us and goodwill that Ghana enjoys in the comity of nations. We call in other friendly nations to extend similar assistance to our compatriots.
 
So far, official information indicates the following:

As at 12:00hrs GMT today (27th February), information gathered was that about over four hundred and sixty (460) students had left Ukraine enroute to Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Czech Republic.  The students will be received by officials of our Diplomatic Missions, honorary consuls and officials of the Ghana students’ associations.

We are pleased to provide the breakdown of those who have exited Ukraine as follows:

• 24 have arrived in Bucharest Romanian and our officer on the ground is procuring tickets for them to leave tomorrow enroute to Accra. 48 are being processed at the holding area and another 60 going through border formalities.

• 38 having crossed into Poland are with our officials.  We are currently also making arrangements for those who are willing to be assisted to get on flights.

• 25 persons enroute to Prague from Slovakia were assisted by the Honorary Consul and will be received on entry by the Mission in Prague.

• 25 just this morning arrived in Hungary and are being sheltered at the Pentecostal church in Budapest.
• Eighty-Five (85) of our compatriots are being assisted by our Embassy in Moscow to cross the border town of Suny into Russia which as indicated earlier has posed serious difficulties.

Ladies and gentlemen,

These numbers are bound to increase in a few days as we observe the team spirit being displayed by our compatriots, reaching out to each other, setting up group WhatsApp chats, sharing important phone numbers of consular officers and other personalities who could be of assistance and the cascading effects of the initiatives.
 
A most gratifying and heart-warming message “We are safe now”, could not have come a better time. We hope for better days as the Ministry further engages our Diplomatic Missions and honorary consulate to extend consular assistance to our compatriots.
 
Government has also put in place the necessary package to facilitate transportation, accommodation, feeding, medical support, etc to ease any burden on our compatriots.

Ladies & Gentlemen,

With all the collaborative efforts, I am pleased to inform you that two hundred and twenty (220) of our compatriots have exited Ukraine and should be with us in Ghana soon. We are earnestly facilitating the safe return of a lot more.

We wish to use this platform to debunk the unsubstantiated reports, such as one alleging that a bus conveying some Ghanaians to the eastern part of Ukraine was shot at. At such delicate times such as this, let us all endeavour to steer clear of sensationalism and unconfirmed reports that only serve to heighten tensions at these times. 

Our Diplomatic missions in Bern, Ankara, Prague, Moscow, and the Vatican are working around the clock in a coordinated manner to secure the safety at all times of our citizens and their evacuation. As stated earlier, I have ordered the despatch of officers of some of our Diplomatic Missions to meet with our citizens who are being evacuated to facilitate the processes and handle any outstanding challenges. Together we can do this.

I would use this medium to express gratitude to Missions and Honorary Consuls working closely with the Ministry to ensure the desired outcomes, I would also thank all those who have offered various forms of assistance such as religious bodies and student groups, all working together with government in an outstanding demonstration of support for a cause which requires our wholehearted commitment and show of unity of purpose.

Thank you all for your attention, I shall now take questions and comments.

The Foreign Ministry has invited parents, guardians and relatives of Ghanaians in Ukraine to a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

The meeting will take place at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) at 10 am.

A statement issued by the Ministry on Saturday, February 26 explained that the meeting is in line with “the prevailing precarious security situation in Ukraine, which has necessitated the evacuation of Ghana nationals, among others from the country to safety.”

Beware of fraudsters

The Ministry has cautioned Ghanaians against activities of unauthorised individuals posing to be designated officials for the evacuation exercise.

This was contained in a statement that announced contact details of persons mandated to assist Ghanaians to move from Ukraine to other countries.

This comes after the government announced steps being taken to transport Ghanaians in Ukraine to neighbouring countries.

According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, a list of students caught up in the conflict has been compiled to facilitate the exercise, adding that plans are far advanced to evacuate them.

A statement dated Friday, February 25 said the Ministry, through its Mission in Berne, Switzerland and the Honorary Consulate in Ukraine, is in touch with the Ghanaian students in Ukraine through their leaders.

“Following the closure of the Ukrainian airspace, it had become challenging to airlift our compatriots from Kyiv and other parts of the country. Hence, the only viable means of evacuation is by land to neighbouring countries such as Moldova, Belarus, Slovakia and Hungary.”

The Foreign Affairs Ministry also noted that the relevant Ghanaian diplomatic missions and Honorary Consuls are on standby to facilitate the passage of students who had already commenced their journey by road to Romania and Hungary.

The Youth Wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on government to institute immediate measures to transport Ghanaian nationals in Ukraine to safer zones.

On Friday, a statement signed by the National Youth Organiser of the NDC, George Opare Addo, said the ongoing disturbances between Ukraine and Russia must not be taken for granted; hence, the government to announce strategies to relocate citizens caught up in the crossfire.

“This follows similar actions taken by other countries that prioritise the lives of their citizens. The fact that government has remained silent on this issue for nearly three days is very telling. This is not a time for political indecisiveness and passiveness.”

“Government must fully use its diplomatic contacts and resources to ensure our students are safe and kept away from harm’s way. Furthermore, government must announce a plan on its intends to execute this very critical assignment,” the statement said.

The NDC Youth Wing also entreated the Ghanaian Consulate in Ukraine to mobilise students and offer them shelter amid the ongoing developments.

“The National Democratic Congress joins similar calls made by the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) and its sister body in Ukraine, urging government to quickly evacuate students studying in the country.”

“As a matter of urgency, we call on government to put in place measures to relocate Ghanaian students to a safer zone in the region or bring them back home. The ongoing standoff between Ukraine and Russia and its attendant military actions must not be taken for granted more-so when Ghanaian lives are at stake.”

Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has initiated steps to evacuate students to neighbouring countries like Moldova, Belarus, Slovakia and Hungary.

A list of students has been compiled to facilitate an evacuation exercise, a statement from the Ministry announced on Friday.

“Discussions with the authorities in Switzerland, Turkey, Moldova, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia to assist with the smooth evacuation of Ghanaians in Ukraine are far advanced.”

“The officials of relevant Ghana diplomatic missions and Honorary Consuls are on standby to facilitate the passage of students who had commenced their journey by road to Romania and Hungary,” the statement added.

What happened?

Russian troops launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine on Thursday, as President Vladimir Putin cast aside international condemnation and sanctions and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere would lead to “consequences you have never seen.”

Big explosions were heard before dawn in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa as world leaders decried the start of an invasion that could cause massive casualties, topple Ukraine’s democratically elected government and threaten the post-Cold War balance on the continent.

Ukrainians who had long braced for the prospect of an assault, while never knowing precisely when it would come, were urged to stay home and not to panic even as the country’s border guard agency reported an artillery barrage by Russian troops from neighbouring Belarus.

Meanwhile, experts have warned of dire consequences for the global economy, including oil and gas supply challenges, as Russia launches a special military operation in Ukraine’s Eastern Donbas region.

Government says it has begun engagements with neighbouring countries of Ukraine to facilitate the immediate evacuation of Ghanaians in the country.

According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, a list of students caught up in the conflict has been compiled to facilitate the exercise, adding that plans are far advanced to evacuate them.

A statement dated Friday, February 25 said the Ministry, through its Mission in Berne, Switzerland and the Honorary Consulate in Ukraine, is in touch with the Ghanaian students in Ukraine through their leaders

“Following the closure of the Ukrainian airspace, it had become challenging to airlift our compatriots from Kyiv and other parts of the country. Hence, the only viable means of evacuation is by land to neighbouring countries such as Moldova, Belarus, Slovakia and Hungary.”

“Discussions with the authorities in Switzerland, Turkey, Moldova, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia to assist with the smooth evacuation of Ghanaians in Ukraine are far advanced,” it said.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry also noted that the relevant Ghanaian diplomatic missions and Honorary Consuls are on standby to facilitate the passage of students who had already commenced their journey by road to Romania and Hungary.

“The Government has put in place the necessary package to facilitate the transportation, accommodation, feeding, medical support etc., to ease the burden on our compatriots.

“As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration continues to engage with other stakeholders such as the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat, the Security Services and other State Institutions, we urge our compatriots to remain calm as measures are finalised for their imminent safe evacuation.”

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has urged Ghanaian nationals in Ukraine to limit their movements in public places or remain in their homes, following what it describes as the deteriorating military situation in Ukraine.

In a statement issued on Thursday, February 24, it said the development directly affects the security and safety of over 1,000 students and Ghanaian nationals.

It has also engaged with the relevant authorities in Ukraine in an effort to secure the safety and protection of Ghanaian citizens.

In an interview with JoyNews, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, said government is doing all within it means to ensure Ghanaians in Ukraine are safe.

“Ukraine is under siege and that means that apart from the fact that a lot has been said, a lot of diplomatic moves have been made to stop the aggression; unfortunately, it hasn’t worked. We are all waiting to see what will happen.”

“We are trying to figure out what to do with our nationals who are resident in Ukraine. It’s becoming quite difficult to move them so we need to ensure that they are safe and that they are keeping safe,” she said.

Meanwhile, some Ghanaian students in Ukraine have appealed to the government to immediately consider evacuating them from the Ukraine-Russia region after reports of tensions and violent clashes.

One of the students, Joseph Cobblah, told JoyNews they feel unsafe. He revealed some of his colleagues have been hiding in bunkers.

“The explosion has reduced for now but as of now, we are all underground – the Africans, the Indians, we are all hiding here. If there is a bomb explosion, we are to seek shelter.”

“Information coming up is that people who are in apartments as students or whoever shouldn’t be in a storey building…we want to be evacuated,” he appealed.

What happened?

Russian troops launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine on Thursday, as President Vladimir Putin cast aside international condemnation and sanctions and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere would lead to “consequences you have never seen.”

Big explosions were heard before dawn in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa as world leaders decried the start of an invasion that could cause massive casualties, topple Ukraine’s democratically elected government and threaten the post-Cold War balance on the continent.

Ukrainians who had long braced for the prospect of an assault, while never knowing precisely when it would come, were urged to stay home and not to panic even as the country’s border guard agency reported an artillery barrage by Russian troops from neighboring Belarus.

Meanwhile, experts have warned of dire consequences for the global economy including challenges for oil and gas supply as Russia continues to launch special military operation in Ukraine’s Eastern Donbas region.

The Global Union of Ghanaian Scholars (GUGS) has called for calm amongst Ghanaian students in Ukraine as well as parents and guardians of these students amidst the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

Speaking on The Pulse, Thursday, Media and Communications Secretary for the Union, Dr. Patrick Puplampu-Dove assured that the Union will ensure the safety of Ghanaian students in Ukraine.

“In our positions, we would do our very best to ensure that our brothers and sisters in Ukraine are safe. We are all in touch with government to see our best diplomacy can work if its evacuation or ensuring that people are safe. We just want to urge everyone at home and abroad to remain calm towards the situation,” he said.

Also speaking on the same show, President of the National Union of Ghanaian Students in Ukraine, Philip Bobbie-Ansah, proposed that government should engage in diplomatic conversation with neighbouring countries around Ukraine for students to be evacuated by land since air space has been closed in Ukraine.

According to him, no students has currently been affected by the recent escalations in Ukraine.

“In my communication with the Embassy [Ghanaian Embassy in Ukraine], I told them we can exploit evacuation by land. That is to go to the neighbouring countries like Poland, Moldova and other countries. With that, I think our government can start communication with them and see how best they can accept Ghanaian citizens into their country and help to evacuate through their soil…we need some sort of diplomacy between our government and all parties involved if we are going to use the land borders,” he said on The Pulse.

Meanwhile, the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) in a statement issued after a meeting with the Foreign Affairs Ministry on Thursday reiterated that government should move Ghanaian students in political conflict zones in Ukraine to neighbouring countries to enable safe flight back to Ghana.

Background

International media outlets have reported that Russian troops on Thursday launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine, as President Vladimir Putin cast aside international condemnation and sanctions and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere would lead to “consequences you have never seen.”

“Big explosions were heard before dawn in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa as world leaders decried the start of an invasion that could cause massive casualties, topple Ukraine’s democratically elected government and threaten the post-Cold War balance on the continent.”

President Joe Biden has pledged new sanctions to punish Russia for the aggression.

But Putin has justified it all in a televised address, asserting that the attack was needed to protect civilians in eastern Ukraine.

He claimed that Russia does not intend to occupy Ukraine but will move to “demilitarize” it and bring those who committed crimes to justice.

Government has asked Ghanaians in Ukraine to seek safe places of abode in the interim while ensuring their safety in the country.

In a statement announcing this, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said it is doing its best to guarantee the wellbeing of Ghanaians.

“The Government of Ghana is gravely concerned about the security and safety of our over 1000 students and other Ghanaians in Ukraine as we engage the authorities, our relevant diplomatic missions, and our honorary consul on further measures,” it said.

This comes on the back of recent tensions in Ukraine following an attack launched by Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched an unprecedented attack on Ukraine. The move comes after Putin ordered troops into two pro-Russian, breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine on Monday.

There have been multiple reports of explosions, bombings, and Russian Military vehicles entering Ukraine from various parts of the border with Russia, with a growing number of casualties being counted on both sides.

According to a Ghanaian student in Ukraine, Joseph, the situation has left many living in fear.

“The situation here right now in Ukraine is very, very bad. It has become so confusing. As I’m talking to you now, I can’t control my tears. Last night, when I was learning, I heard the first explosion; it was as if it was at the back of our hostel. Now, I don’t know what will happen next,” he said.

To compound their woes, he said students are saddled with the burden of looking for food as there is a food shortage due to the events.

“Currently, I have two bottles of water and four biscuits which I went out this morning to get. When I got to the shop, it was very full and there were only a few bottles of water. I wanted to buy bread, but they [people] have bought all the bread from the shop; I was so shocked,” he said.

He has, therefore, appealed to government to, as a matter of urgency, consider evacuating all Ghanaian students from the Ukraine-Russia region, to ensure their safety.

After several months of uncertainties about the global pandemic and its related restrictions, ‘Made In Ghana UK Festival 2022’ is finally scheduled for East Winter Garden in London from June 25 to 26, 2022.

It will be a combined Trade Show (exhibitions of uniquely made in Ghana products & services), Conferences and Concerts.

The two-day festival seeks to be the preferred reference point for Ghana’s biggest players in the trade, culture, creative arts and tourism.

It is organised by Made In Ghana UK Ltd (London); Made in Ghana Consulting Ltd (Accra); and the Ghana High Commission, London; in partnership with Seventh Street Multimedia; Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration; Ministry of Trade and Industries; Ghana Export Promotions Authority (GEPA); and Association of Ghana Industries (AGI). 

Other partners include Showbiz Africa, Access Media, OK Music, EIB Network, National Commission on Culture (NCC), Ghana Post, Zionfelix.com, Afriscot Media, Musicians Union of Ghana, Laboro GH, The Beat London, Yanga TV and Rok TV.

According to the Director of Communications, Afua Hagan, “the festival seeks to amplify, promote and enhance Ghana’s trade, culture, tourism and the best of Ghanaian talent.”

Among other objectives, the festival seeks to offer about 65 premium exhibitors over 4000 high-quality buyer-audience; essentially for brand awareness, lead generation, and relationship building; while ensuring a successful attendee experience; to augment the Government’s effort of increasing the capacity of Ghanaian export through effective collaboration with strategic partners in the UK; and to market brilliantly deserving Ghanaian talent (music, fashion, comedy, etc.) to the world. 

Made in Ghana UK Festival 2022 was launched by the Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Thomas Mbomba at the Ministry’s Conference Hall in Accra on August 5, 2021. 

In a speech read on his behalf, the Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal confirmed setting up #VisitGhanaHub at the Festival, dedicated to the promotion of the National Tourism Destination Single Window project. 

Till April 30, 2022, registration is open for qualified exhibitors at the offices of AGI, GEPA, Ghana High Commission in London or at www.madeinghanauk.com. 

The organisers have scheduled a number of activities leading to the main Festival; starting with a creative arts workshop featuring Ghana’s leading dance coaches and choreographers, Dancegod Lloyd, Afrobeast and the DWP Academy crew, who will be participating in a master class in Manchester, Birmingham and London from April 2 to 16, 2022.  

Other activities on the road map include: 

• Media Engagement & Workshop at the Kensington Town Hall, London on Friday, April 15, 2022 to be hosted by media partners in the UK and Ghana.
• Exhibitors Conference in Accra on May 7, 2022, to be hosted by Made In Ghana Consulting Ltd, MoTI, GEPA & AGI.
• Conference for Exhibitors & Investors in London on Saturday, May 28, 2022 to be hosted by the Ghana High Commission, London, Access Media & the United Kingdom Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC). 
• Women Entrepreneurs & Investment Conference (WE&IC) in London on June 4, 2022 to be hosted by Afriscot Media. 
• The Festival weekend starts with MIGHUK Dinner & Honours Ball on June 23, 2022 
• The Main Festival, which comes off on June 25 and 26 at East Wintergarden, is under the auspices of the Ghana High Commissioner, Papa Owusu-Ankomah and other Ministers of State. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration held a press briefing to outline government’s foreign policy and steps to ensure Ghana’s image is enhanced.

The sector Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey addressed the press.

The presser was moderated by Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.