Okudzeto Ablakwa Engages Israeli and Iranian Envoys on Ghana’s Evacuation Efforts and Calls for Ceasefire

By Joylinda Laryea / June 23, 2025

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu and Ranking Member on Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed that he held separate meetings this week with the ambassadors of Israel and Iran as part of Ghana’s diplomatic efforts in response to the ongoing conflict between the two nations.

In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, Mr. Ablakwa revealed that he met H.E. Roey Gilad, Ambassador of Israel, on Tuesday, followed by a meeting with H.E. Ali Ghomshi, Ambassador of Iran, on Wednesday.

According to the lawmaker, the engagements provided an opportunity to present the Mahama Administration’s emergency evacuation strategy for Ghanaians residing in both countries. The strategy, he explained, is aimed at securing the necessary border access approvals through the respective governments.

Mr. Ablakwa confirmed that the first batch of Ghanaians living in Iran had already been successfully evacuated to Turkey, while arrangements for the evacuation of nationals in Israel are expected to commence shortly.

The North Tongu MP noted that beyond the evacuation efforts, the meetings offered valuable insights into the dynamics of the ongoing hostilities.

In his interaction with the Israeli ambassador, Mr. Ablakwa stated that he firmly expressed Ghana’s discontent over the envoy’s recent public remarks questioning Ghana’s voting positions at international fora. He reiterated Ghana’s sovereign right to adopt independent stances rooted in the country’s time-honoured foreign policy principles.

These principles, he emphasized, are underpinned by Ghana’s national interest, the 1992 Constitution, pacifism, non-alignment, respect for the UN Charter, commitment to multilateralism, adherence to international law, and the rule-based international order.

Mr. Ablakwa stressed that these values will continue to inform Ghana’s conduct on the global stage, especially as the nation serves on the UN Human Rights Council and chairs the governing board of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Concluding his engagements, Mr. Ablakwa renewed Ghana’s call for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Iran, urging both sides to pursue diplomatic solutions to their grievances.