Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has held separate meetings with the Israeli and Iranian Ambassadors in Accra. The engagements come amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and growing concerns for Ghanaian citizens living in the region.
Focus on Citizen Safety and Evacuation Plans
In a statement issued on Friday, June 20, the Minister confirmed that he met with H.E. Roey Gilad of Israel on Tuesday and H.E. Ali Ghomshi of Iran on Wednesday. Both meetings took place at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Accra.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, the discussions centered on Ghana’s emergency evacuation strategy for its nationals living in both countries. He said the strategy was communicated to both ambassadors for onward delivery to their respective governments.
“The meetings afforded me the opportunity to convey the Mahama Administration’s emergency evacuation strategy for Ghanaians living in their countries,” he said. “This will help facilitate border access approvals.”
The Minister announced that the first group of Ghanaian nationals has already been safely evacuated from Iran to Turkey. Plans are also underway to evacuate citizens from Israel in the coming days.
Ghana Pushes for Peaceful Dialogue
Beyond the immediate humanitarian concerns, the meetings provided a platform to discuss the broader conflict in the Middle East. The Foreign Minister said the talks helped deepen Ghana’s understanding of the situation.
During his meeting with the Israeli Ambassador, Mr. Ablakwa also raised concerns over public comments made by the envoy, who had questioned Ghana’s voting record in international forums.
“I urged him to respect our sovereign right to make independent decisions based on our longstanding foreign policy,” the Minister stated. He highlighted Ghana’s commitment to neutrality, non-alignment, and its pacifist approach to diplomacy.
Commitment to International Law and Peace
Mr. Ablakwa reaffirmed Ghana’s strong belief in multilateralism, the rule-based international order, and strict adherence to international law. He cited Ghana’s current roles on the United Nations Human Rights Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency as proof of its commitment.
He concluded by calling for an immediate ceasefire in the region and encouraged both Israel and Iran to pursue peaceful, diplomatic dialogue.
