First batch of Ghanaians evacuated from Iran to Turkey – Okudzeto Ablakwa
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced the successful evacuation of the first batch of Ghanaians from Iran to Turkey, as part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of citizens amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
In a Facebook post on Friday, June 20, Ablakwa disclosed that arrangements are also underway to evacuate Ghanaians residing in Israel.
He noted that earlier in the week, he held meetings with the ambassadors of both Iran and Israel to communicate the Mahama administration’s emergency evacuation strategy.
According to him, the strategy was shared with the diplomats to facilitate coordination and gain border access approvals necessary for a safe and timely evacuation.
“These engagements have also enriched our understanding of the ongoing conflict,” he noted.
The Foreign Affairs Minister also addressed Ghana’s displeasure over recent comments made by the Israeli Ambassador concerning Ghana’s voting record at international forums. He said he took the opportunity to defend Ghana’s right to make sovereign decisions in line with the country’s well-established foreign policy principles.
“I urged him to respect our sovereign right to make independent decisions based on our longstanding globally acclaimed foreign policy principles anchored on Ghana’s national interest as espoused by the 1992 Constitution, pacifist approach to peace building, non-alignment, respect for the UN Charter, adherence to the rule-based international order, belief in multilateralism and strict compliance with international law,” he wrote.
He concluded by renewing Ghana’s call for an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful diplomatic resolution between the warring parties.
