Akoto Osei & Others To Be Airlifted Back To Ghana

The government is planning to evacuate the Minister for Monitoring and Evaluation who doubles as the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Tafo in the Ashanti region, following reports he is stranded in the United States of America (USA).

Reports are that, Anthony Akoto-Osei, will be evacuated together with other Ghanaians stranded in that country, although President Akufo-Addo, still has Ghana’s borders closed since March 22, 2020, to prevent further importation of the deadly coronavirus.

It is unclear, what Mr. Akoto-Osei went to do  in the States, but The Herald, has gathered that government is bringing him home under a special arrangement using a diplomatic cover, but will like to evacuate other Ghanaians as well.

The date is not yet disclosed, although a statement from the Permanent Mission of Ghana to the United Nations and the Consular General, New York, has said it was compiling names of stranded travelers who wish to be evacuated back to Ghana.

It is also unclear, whether the Akufo-Addo government,  plans evacuating Ghanaian students who are stranded in countries such as China, UK, Ukraine, among others.
It comes on the back of calls to evacuate Ghanaians abroad, including rapper Sarkodie, who is said to be in the US, Samini, who is stranded in Canada and Pappy Kojo in Italy.
Kwaw Kese, has also been counted among the many Ghanaians stranded, but it is not clear which country he is in.

Sarkodie, had twitted after President Akufo-Addo in a state broadcast announced measures to curtail further importation of the novel coronavirus, including closure of Ghana’s borders commending the President, but asked that stranded Ghanaians be allowed back into the country through evacuation.

Meanwhile, a statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry was silent on Ghanaians stranded in other countries.

Earlier, a Deputy Minister  for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Charles Owiredu, in an interview, said President Akufo-Addo, has already engaged all ambassadors on the issue.

He also said that Ghanaian diplomats, have been directed to put together data on all Ghanaians who are stuck abroad for some action to be taken.

Mr Owiredu stated that whatever decision that government will arrive at, will be influenced by the available information on the spread of the coronavirus.
“We’ve received some requests and calls from some Ghanaians in the UK, US and in other countries (for evacuations to be done). Like I said, based on the earlier discussions the President had with the ambassadors, they are supposed to furnish us with data of stuck Ghanaians who find themselves in such situations. (Whatever decision will be taken), we’ll be led by the science,” he said.

The latest information put up by the Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Ministry, said government was working to get those stranded in the US back into the country as soon as possible.

The statement by the Permanent Mission of Ghana to the United Nations and the Consular General, New York, said it was compiling names of stranded travelers who wish to be evacuated back into Ghana.

The statement issued on Friday May 08, 2020 said “All affected Ghanaians in the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, are requested to register with the Mission by providing the following information:

Name and Biodata of Passport.

US Visa page and date of entry.

State and City of residence in the United States”.

The stranded Ghanaians were advised by the statement signed by Information Officer, Frederick Ameyaw, to urgently provide the requested information to Ghanaconsulatenewyork@aol.com by tomorrow Tuesday, May 12, 2020.
This, according to the Mission is to advise the Ministry headed by Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey. Additional information or clarification the statement directed, could be sought from the Consul General, Prof. Samuel K. Amoako at 929-342-9396.
The Minority in Parliament, earlier backed calls to evacuate stranded Ghanaians abroad, especially students stuck in China.