Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has condemned Israel’s recent actions towards Ghanaian nationals, following a troubling incident at Ben Gurion International Airport on December 7.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Thursday, Mr. Ablakwa detailed the government’s response to the detention and deportation of several Ghanaian travellers, including four members of a parliamentary delegation, who had been en route to Tel Aviv for an international cybersecurity conference.
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The incident, which has gained widespread attention, saw these individuals detained by Israeli authorities, with three members of the delegation eventually denied entry and deported on the next available flight.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was quick to describe the actions as “inhumane” and “traumatic,” adding that Ghanaian travellers had been “deliberately targeted.”
Mr. Ablakwa made it clear that Ghana would not accept such actions and would respond decisively.
“If they deport ten Ghanaians, we will deport ten. If they deport twenty, we will deport twenty. If they deport fifty, we will deport fifty. We are not going to accept this,” he warned.
The controversy stems from Israel’s explanation for the deportations. Mr. Ablakwa explained that, according to Israeli officials, Ghana’s embassy in Tel Aviv had failed to cooperate in issuing travel certificates for six Ghanaians who were supposedly due for deportation.
However, Mr. Ablakwa revealed that upon investigating the claims, it became clear that Israel’s allegations were completely unfounded.
“We were told that the Ghanaian Embassy was uncooperative, but the facts simply do not support that,” Mr. Ablakwa explained. “Out of the six people on the list that Israel provided, one is not even Ghanaian. He is Gabonese. Our embassy had every right to verify the identity of the individuals involved.”
The Foreign Minister further provided details about the individuals on the list.
“One of the people listed was seriously ill, and Israeli doctors themselves advised that she should not travel until she had recovered. How can you deport someone who is unwell and needs medical attention?” Mr. Ablakwa stated.
“Another individual had already been issued a travel certificate, so there was no reason to stop their entry into Israel.”
The Ghanaian government has made it clear that Israel’s actions are unacceptable, but it has also emphasised that its response will be both firm and measured.
In retaliation, Ghana deported three Israeli nationals, signaling that violations of Ghanaian citizens’ rights would not go unpunished. The Israeli government has since issued an apology, with the Israeli charge d’affaires in Accra acknowledging the mishandling of the situation and calling for de-escalation.
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