More Ghanaians evacuated from Libya

Three hundred more stranded Ghanaians in Libya were on Saturday night evacuated back home. The evacuees, the 15th batch so far to arrive, comprising 290 adults and 10 minors, were screened and registered, with a few of them receiving medical treatment before being allowed to leave for their various regions.

Briefing newsmen at the airport on the exercise, Mr Kofi Portuphy, National Co-ordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) said so far 5,013 Ghanaians have been evacuated. The last batch of unspecified number is expected by Monday.

Portuphy said as a precaution all the evacuees were medically checked in Libya before their departure to Ghana to prevent an outbreak of diseases. The port health officials treated ailments such as chest problems, diarrhoea and meningitis as well as serious injuries. "Most of the evacuees have been given letters to present at the regional and district health posts for further checkups and treatment." Portuphy said NADMO officials at the regional and district levels are co-ordinating with relevant agencies, NGO's and the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare to assist in their resettlement. He appealed to chiefs, churches, district assemblies and other benevolent organisations to assist in the resettlement programme.

Portuphy commended the Libyan government for providing an aircraft for the evacuation.