Ghana evacuates citizens as middle East unrest escalates
The government has successfully evacuated the first group of Ghanaian citizens from Iran to Turkey as part of an emergency response to rising tensions in the Middle East.
Officials say arrangements are now being made to assist Ghanaians currently living in Israel.
In a Facebook post on Friday, June 20, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed that the evacuation was carried out earlier in the week following high-level meetings with both the Iranian and Israeli ambassadors.
“So far, the first batch of Ghanaians in Iran has been evacuated to Turkey successfully. Our fellow nationals living in Israel will be evacuated shortly,” Mr. Ablakwa wrote.
He explained that these meetings were part of a broader emergency plan led by President John Mahama’s administration, aimed at ensuring the safety of Ghanaian nationals in regions affected by conflict. Talks focused on securing border access and safe passage out of high-risk areas.
Beyond the evacuations, Mr. Ablakwa said the meetings helped Ghana deepen its understanding of the ongoing conflict and reaffirm its diplomatic stance.
The Minister also addressed recent comments made by the Israeli ambassador regarding Ghana’s voting record at international organizations. Mr. Ablakwa said he defended Ghana’s right to maintain an independent foreign policy.
“I urged him to respect our sovereign right to make decisions based on our globally respected foreign policy principles,” he stated.
The Minister emphasized that Ghana’s diplomatic approach is rooted in the 1992 Constitution and guided by principles of non-alignment, peacebuilding, respect for the UN Charter, and a commitment to multilateralism and international law.
These values, he noted, continue to shape Ghana’s international positions, especially as the country currently holds a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council and chairs the governing board of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
