Ghana Begins Evacuation of Citizens from Israel and Iran Amid Rising Tensions

Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that the Mahama Administration has initiated emergency evacuation plans for Ghanaians living in Israel and Iran amid escalating tensions between the two Middle Eastern nations.

In a statement shared via Facebook, the Minister revealed that he held separate diplomatic meetings this week with Israeli Ambassador H.E. Roey Gilad and Iranian Ambassador H.E. Ali Ghomshi to communicate Ghana’s evacuation strategy and to seek border access cooperation from both governments.

“The meetings allowed me to convey the Mahama Administration’s emergency evacuation strategy for Ghanaians living in their countries... to facilitate border access approvals,” he stated.

So far, the first group of Ghanaians living in Iran have been successfully evacuated to Turkey, with similar arrangements being finalised for nationals in Israel.

Ghana Defends Its Foreign Policy Autonomy

Beyond evacuation plans, Minister Ablakwa used the meeting with Israel’s ambassador to express Ghana’s displeasure over recent comments attributed to the envoy regarding Ghana’s voting record at international bodies.

“I urged him to respect our sovereign right to make independent decisions based on our longstanding foreign policy principles,” Ablakwa emphasised, citing Ghana’s non-aligned stance, commitment to multilateralism, and respect for international law.

He underscored that Ghana’s actions on the world stage remain guided by constitutional values and its globally respected foreign policy heritage.

Call for Ceasefire and Diplomacy

In both meetings, Ablakwa said he reiterated Ghana’s call for an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful diplomatic resolution to the hostilities.

“These engagements have also enriched our understanding of the ongoing conflict,” he said, reinforcing Ghana’s role as a responsible global actor currently serving on the UN Human Rights Council and chairing the governing board of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The Foreign Minister’s proactive diplomacy and assertive defence of Ghana’s foreign policy independence have been widely applauded as the country navigates its position in a complex and fast-evolving global conflict.