Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa this week met separately with the Israeli and Iranian ambassadors to discuss the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals and address diplomatic concerns.
Minister Ablakwa has met with Israeli Ambassador H.E. Roey Gilad, followed by talks with Iranian Ambassador H.E. Ali Ghomshi on Wednesday. A key agenda item for both meetings was the Mahama Administration’s emergency evacuation strategy for Ghanaians residing in Israel and Iran.
The Minister conveyed Ghana’s plans and sought cooperation from both governments to facilitate border access for the evacuations. Already, the first group of Ghanaians in Iran has been successfully evacuated to Turkey, with the evacuation of those in Israel expected to follow shortly. The engagements also served to provide Ghana with a deeper understanding of the ongoing conflict in the region.
Significantly, during the meeting with the Israeli Ambassador, Minister Ablakwa expressed Ghana’s “strong displeasure” regarding the ambassador’s recent public statements that questioned Ghana’s voting patterns at international organizations.
The Foreign Minister underscored Ghana’s sovereign right to make independent foreign policy decisions, emphasizing that these are based on the country’s longstanding principles. These principles, as outlined by the 1992 Constitution, include a pacifist approach to peacebuilding, non-alignment, respect for the UN Charter, adherence to a rule-based international order, belief in multilateralism, and strict compliance with international law.
Minister Ablakwa reiterated that these principles would continue to guide Ghana’s foreign policy, especially as the nation currently serves on the UN Human Rights Council and chairs the governing board of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The Minister concluded both meetings by re-echoing Ghana’s call for a ceasefire between Israel and Iran and urged both nations to pursue a peaceful diplomatic resolution to their disputes.
Sankofaonline
