The Government of Ghana has commenced the evacuation of its citizens from conflict-prone areas in the Middle East, with the first batch of nationals successfully relocated from Iran to Turkey.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed the development in a Facebook post on Friday, June 20. He noted that the move forms part of Ghana’s broader emergency response plan as tensions continue to escalate in the region.
The evacuation follows high-level diplomatic engagements earlier in the week between Ghanaian officials and the Ambassadors of Israel and Iran. According to the Minister, discussions focused on ensuring the safety of Ghanaians living in those countries and securing the necessary border access approvals.
“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 confirmed.
The evacuation plan, spearheaded by President John Mahama’s administration, is a strategic effort to protect Ghanaian lives amid rising instability in the region. The Minister revealed that he met with the Israeli Ambassador, H.E. Roey Gilad, on Tuesday, and the Iranian Ambassador, H.E. Ali Ghomshi, on Wednesday, to discuss both immediate evacuations and long-term diplomatic safety assurances.
In addition to logistical coordination, the meetings served to reinforce Ghana’s diplomatic principles. Minister Ablakwa emphasized Ghana’s neutrality and non-aligned foreign policy stance, while addressing concerns raised by the Israeli Ambassador regarding Ghana’s voting record at international forums.
“I urged him to respect our sovereign right to make independent decisions based on our longstanding, globally respected foreign policy principles,” Ablakwa stated.
He reiterated that Ghana’s diplomacy is rooted in the 1992 Constitution and driven by values such as pacifism, multilateralism, adherence to the UN Charter, respect for international law, and a commitment to a rules-based global order.
With Ghana currently holding a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council and chairing the governing board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the country’s diplomatic posture, according to Ablakwa, remains more important than ever.
The North Tongu MP also appealed for calm, calling on both Israel and Iran to show restraint and work towards an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to their differences.
