Ghanaian citizens evacuated from Iran as Middle East tensions escalate
The Ghanaian government has successfully evacuated the first group of its citizens from Iran to Turkey in response to escalating unrest in the Middle East.
Plans are underway to assist Ghanaians residing in Israel as the situation continues to unfold.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed the evacuation in a Facebook post on Friday, June 20, revealing that the operation took place earlier this week following high-level meetings with 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 said.
These diplomatic discussions formed part of a broader emergency response plan led by President John Mahama’s administration, focused on ensuring the safety of Ghanaian nationals in conflict zones.
The talks centered on securing safe passage and border access out of high-risk areas.
In addition to evacuation efforts, the meetings helped Ghana gain a clearer understanding of the ongoing conflict while reaffirming its diplomatic stance.
Mr. Ablakwa also responded to recent remarks by the Israeli ambassador concerning Ghana’s voting record in international forums.
He defended Ghana’s sovereign right to an independent foreign policy.
“I urged him to respect our sovereign right to make decisions based on our globally respected foreign policy principles,” the minister stated.
