Ghana has become the first African country to evacuate its citizens fleeing the conflict in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.

The first group of 17 students arrived on Tuesday morning at Kotoka International Airport, in the capital, Accra.

Ghana’s foreign ministry had earlier said some 460 students were en route to Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.

They are expected to return home in coming days.

The total number of Ghanaians living in Ukraine is unknown and the government is currently meeting parents and guardians to document all students in the country.

It is estimated that more than 1,000 Ghanaian nationals are currently studying or working in Ukraine.