Minority in Parliament Demands Immediate Evacuation of Ghanaians Stranded in Israel and Iran

The Minority Caucus in Ghana’s Parliament has voiced profound concern over reports of nearly one thousand Ghanaian citizens stranded in Israel and scores displaced in Iran amidst escalating hostilities between the two nations. The Minority has sharply criticized what it calls a “disturbing lapse in the Government’s response,” urging immediate and decisive action for their safe evacuation.

In a strongly worded statement, the Minority highlighted the closure of Israel’s borders and the intensifying missile exchanges between Israel and Iran, which they believe pose “a grave and immediate threat to their lives and safety” of Ghanaians in those countries.

The caucus lambasted the government for its perceived inaction, stating, “It is unacceptable that the authorities failed to act with the urgency required, despite clear early warning signs that the conflict was worsening.” They condemned this delay as a reflection of “a troubling degree of inefficiency, ineffectiveness, and a lack of proactive leadership at a time when swift action was imperative.”

The Minority is urging the government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to “immediately activate all available diplomatic and logistical channels to secure the safe evacuation of Ghanaians from both Israel and Iran without further delay.”

Furthermore, they called for the urgent development of a “comprehensive evacuation strategy,” emphasizing the need for coordination with Ghana’s diplomatic missions, international partners, and other relevant stakeholders. The statement stressed that “The safety and wellbeing of Ghanaians abroad must be treated as a national priority and not subjected to bureaucratic inertia or indecision.”

Expressing deep regret and deeming it “utterly unacceptable,” the Minority criticized the “apparent paralysis in the State’s ability to protect and assist its citizens in this time of crisis.” They warned that “Every passing hour increases the risk to the lives of our fellow citizens caught in the crossfire of this conflict.”

The Minority concluded its statement with a firm demand for “immediate action,” asserting that “Government must act decisively, and it must act now.”