Ghana has successfully evacuated the first group of its nationals from Iran to Turkey, as part of a broader emergency response to rising instability in the Middle East, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced Friday.

In a statement released via social media, Mr. Ablakwa said that additional efforts are underway to evacuate Ghanaian citizens currently residing in Israel. The developments come amid mounting regional conflict that has prompted several nations to expedite contingency planning for their citizens abroad.

Earlier in the week, Mr. Ablakwa held separate meetings with the Iranian and Israeli ambassadors in Accra, where he outlined the Mahama administration’s emergency evacuation framework. The plan, he said, was shared to ensure cross-border coordination and secure the necessary transit clearances for safe passage.

“These engagements have deepened our understanding of the conflict dynamics and helped streamline logistical support for our evacuation missions,” Mr. Ablakwa noted.

Tensions between Ghana and Israel have also surfaced following remarks by the Israeli envoy criticizing Ghana’s voting patterns at international forums. Mr. Ablakwa addressed the matter during his meeting with the Israeli ambassador, defending Ghana’s right to pursue an independent foreign policy.

“I underscored that Ghana’s foreign policy decisions are anchored in our national interest, guided by principles enshrined in our 1992 Constitution,” Mr. Ablakwa wrote. He cited Ghana’s historical commitment to non-alignment, multilateralism, and adherence to international law as core tenets of its global posture.

He reiterated Ghana’s call for an immediate ceasefire and urged a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict in the region.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has not disclosed the number of evacuees in the initial operation or the specific timeline for future evacuations, citing security concerns.

Source:TheDotNews