The two rescued Canadian girls who were released Wednesday at a hideout in Kumasi from their kidnappers are on “emotional and psychological support,” the NGO managing them said.

The Youth Challenge International (YCI) said they were freed unhurt and have also spoken with their parents.

“Early this morning Lauren Tilley and Bailey Chitty were rescued by Ghanaian police. They are safe and both the police and Government of Ghana are ensuring the young women’s protection in Ghana,” the NGO said in a statement.

It added: “The parents of both young women have been in contact with their daughters and at this time wish to express their extreme gratitude to the Ghanaian police, the Ghanaian Government and the Canadian Government for all their support and actions throughout this extremely difficult time.

“Bailey and Lauren are receiving emotional and psychological support from professionals as they travel home. Medical reports are that they are both physically unhurt. At this time we are unable to comment on the police actions, the rescue or the perpetrators of the abduction.

“We kindly ask all media to respect the families’ privacy. Youth Challenge International and Canada World Youth have been closely supporting the families throughout and will be the point of contact for all media enquiries,” it noted.

The government announced the release of the girls Wednesday after “a successful operation” by the national security – a week after the girls were abducted.

“National Security Operatives in the early hours of Wednesday 12 June, 2019 completed an operation which successfully rescued the two (2) Canadian women recently abducted in the Ashanti Region. Details of the operation and ongoing efforts to ensure that similar incidents are successfully resolved will be made available in a subsequent press briefing scheduled for 15:00 hours today.

“Government continues to encourage the media and commentators to be circumspect in public commentary on security matters in order not to compromise other related operations. Citizens and travellers are once again assured that Ghana remains safe,” information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said.