Coronavirus: Registration begins for evacuation of stranded Ghanaians in U.S amidst closed borders

Ghana is currently working on processes towards the evacuation of its citizens stranded in parts of the United States following the closure of the country’s borders.

A statement released by the Permanent Mission of Ghana to the United Nations and Consulate General in New York and dated May 8 indicates that the mission is compiling a list of all affected Ghanaians in the “tri-state area of the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut who wish to be evacuated.”

This, per the statement, follows a directive by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

Interested persons are therefore to provide details of their;

1. Name and Biodata of Passport

2. US Visa page and date of entry

3. State of City of residence in the United States

The release also states that all communication regarding those who wish to be evacuated should be sent to the Mission via email by Tuesday, May 12, 2020.

The move follows several calls and agitations by some Ghanaians for the evacuation of citizens stuck in the United States after the closure of the country’s borders.

Ghana closed its borders to all but returning Ghanaians and foreign nationals with Ghanaian permits on March 22 and subsequently travel restrictions to all foreign entries as part of enhanced efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Though Ghana is yet to evacuate any of its citizens abroad, countries such as the US, Nigeria and UK have been allowed to evacuate citizens from various countries through airlifting.

Below is the statement: