Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has issued a firm condemnation of Israel’s recent treatment of Ghanaian nationals after a troubling deportation incident at Ben Gurion International Airport on December 7.
According to the minister, several Ghanaian travellers — including four members of a parliamentary delegation en route to Tel Aviv for an international cybersecurity conference — were detained by Israeli authorities. Three were ultimately denied entry and deported, a development that has sparked national and international concern.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described Israel’s actions as “inhumane,” “traumatic,” and a clear case of Ghanaian citizens being deliberately targeted.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr. Ablakwa emphasised that Ghana would not tolerate such treatment under any circumstances. He issued a strong warning:
“If they deport ten Ghanaians, we will deport ten. If they deport twenty, we will deport twenty.”
Israel claimed the deportations were prompted by Ghana’s embassy allegedly refusing to issue travel certificates for six individuals reportedly set for removal. However, Mr. Ablakwa said investigations proved this explanation to be entirely false.
He revealed that:
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One person on Israel’s list is not even Ghanaian, but Gabonese, making identity verification necessary.
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One listed traveller was critically ill, and Israeli doctors advised that she should not travel.
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Another had already received a travel certificate, contradicting Israel’s claims.
In a measured but firm response, Ghana deported three Israeli nationals, signalling that any violation of Ghanaian citizens’ rights would be met with equal force.
Following the backlash, Israel’s charge d’affaires in Accra has apologised and called for calm, acknowledging that the situation was mishandled.
