Ghanaian students stranded in Chinese towns hit by the deadly novel coronavirus have renewed calls to be evacuated to Ghana as the death toll in China exceeds 600.

According to the emotionally traumatised students, Wuhan, where they are located, is on lockdown with all shops closed making it difficult for them to get access to basic necessities.

“Generally the anxiety and stress of being confined have also taken a toll so now the demand is evacuation,” Felix Gyawu Addo, President of the National Union of Ghana Students in China said.

The China chapter of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) and the University Students’ Association of Ghana (USAG) since the outbreak, have appealed to government to evacuate all Ghanaian students in China to avoid any possible contraction of the contagious coronavirus.

They have also expressed disappointment in the Ambassador to China and the Foreign Affairs Ministry for the slow pace with which the issue is being dealt with.

But stressing on their needs, Mr Gyawu Addo who spoke to JoyNews said despite numerous interactions with Ghanaian authorities and the fears expressed by the students, no firm assurances have been given regarding a possible evacuation.

“Evacuation is what have been drummed home from the beginning of the outbreak by our brothers and sisters in Wuhan. But whiles some level of discussion has been made I can tell you nothing has been finalised,” he lamented.

No Ghanaian student in China has contracted coronavirus

The Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Ministry has earlier disclosed that no Ghanaian student in coronavirus-hit China has been infected with the disease.

In a statement copied to JoyNews, the Ministry assured all parents, relatives and friends of Ghanaians in China that “the Embassy of Ghana in Beijing and the Consulate-General in Guangzhou are in contact with leadership of the Ghanaian community and the National Union of Ghana Students – China” for frequent briefing on the welfare of all Ghanaian nationals.

The Ministry says it has advised all Ghanaians to stay indoors and adhere to preventive precautions outlined by Chinese authorities