The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has conducted separate diplomatic discussions with the Ambassadors of Israel and Iran regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
In a statement, Mr. Ablakwa revealed that he met with the Israeli Ambassador, H.E. Roey Gilad, on Tuesday, followed by a meeting with the Iranian Ambassador, H.E. Ali Ghomshi, on Wednesday.
He clarified that these engagements, which took place at his office, are part of the government’s broader initiatives to ensure the safety of Ghanaian citizens residing abroad.
During his discussion with the Israeli Ambassador, the Minister conveyed Ghana’s discontent with recent public remarks made by the envoy concerning Ghana’s voting history in international institutions.
“I urged him to honor our sovereign right to make independent choices based on our long-standing, globally recognized foreign policy principles—rooted in Ghana’s national interest as articulated by the 1992 Constitution, our pacifist approach to peacebuilding, non-alignment, respect for the UN Charter, adherence to a rules-based international order, belief in multilateralism, and strict compliance with international law,” he stated.
Mr. Ablakwa confirmed that the initial group of Ghanaian nationals in Iran has been successfully evacuated to Turkey, with plans in progress to evacuate citizens from Israel.
“The meetings provided me with the opportunity to communicate the Mahama Administration’s emergency evacuation strategy for Ghanaians residing in those countries, with the two ambassadors tasked with conveying this to their governments to facilitate border access approvals,” he remarked.
The bilateral discussions also served as a platform to exchange views on the evolving conflict in the region.
The Minister emphasized that the conversations had greatly enhanced Ghana’s understanding of the intricate dynamics at play.
He reiterated Ghana’s unwavering commitment to multilateralism and international law, particularly in view of its current role on the United Nations Human Rights Council.