Ghana’s former Vice-President and New Patriotic Party flagbearer for the 2028 election, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and his wife, Samira Bawumia, have been securely relocated from Qatar to an undisclosed country following a sharp escalation in Middle East hostilities.
The operation was coordinated by Ghanaian diplomatic missions under direct instructions from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who acted on behalf of the government to ensure the safety of the former Vice-President and his entourage.
While specific operational details have been withheld for security reasons, embassy officials confirmed the process was a smooth and discreet collaboration with host authorities.
An aide to the former Vice-President later clarified that the couple is safe and has since arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah.
The evacuation takes place against the backdrop of a major regional crisis centered on the Strait of Hormuz, which was triggered on February 28, 2026, by coordinated U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iranian facilities.
The conflict has since expanded into a series of retaliatory missile and drone exchanges, leading to widespread airspace closures and the disruption of a maritime corridor responsible for 20% of global oil shipments. In response to the mounting danger, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has activated emergency preparedness plans to safeguard all Ghanaian nationals in the region.
These efforts include the evacuation of non-essential diplomatic personnel from Tehran and a standing directive for all citizens in the Middle East to remain in close contact with Ghanaian missions for emergency assistance as the situation evolves.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
