Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is the Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has condemned the alleged mistreatment of Ghanaian citizens at Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport.
In a statement dated December 10, 2025, issued by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the government said it is worried by reports that Ghanaian travellers have been deliberately singled out and subjected to what it described as inhumane and distressing treatment since Sunday, December 7.
According to the statement, seven Ghanaians were detained that day without any valid reason. Four of them were members of a parliamentary delegation travelling to Tel Aviv to attend the Annual International Cybersecurity Conference.
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They were eventually released after more than five hours, following intense diplomatic engagement. The other three travellers were deported on the next available flight and have since returned to Ghana.
The government described the actions of the Israeli authorities as unfair and humiliating, stressing that Ghanaian nationals were unjustly targeted. It also recalled that Ghana and Israel have enjoyed friendly relations for over 60 years, marked by smooth and uninterrupted travel between citizens of both countries.
Ghana rejected claims by Israeli authorities that the deportations were due to a lack of cooperation from the Ghanaian Embassy in Tel Aviv, describing that explanation as completely unacceptable. The statement maintained that the embassy has consistently acted in line with international law.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs further announced plans to summon officials from the Israeli Embassy in Accra to formally register Ghana’s displeasure in the strongest terms, adding that the government is considering appropriate reciprocal measures.
“Following our enquiries, we find the justification provided by the Israeli Government being an alleged non-cooperation of our Embassy in the deportation of Ghanaians in Israeli custody as totally untenable as the facts confirm that our mission in Tel Aviv has been responsive and compliant with international law.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will this morning summon officials of the Israeli Embassy in Accra to convey our displeasure in the strongest possible terms,” part of the statement read.
Read the full statement below:
The Government of Ghana is appalled at the ill-treatment meted out to Ghanaian travellers by Israeli authorities.
We strongly protest.
Ghana is considering immediate reciprocal action. pic.twitter.com/88TDxCedQC
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) December 10, 2025
AK/AM
