Ghana weighs retaliation after ‘inhumane, traumatic’ treatment of citizens in Israel
Ghana has lodged a strong protest with Israel after several Ghanaian travellers were detained and deported from Ben Gurion International Airport in what officials describe as “inhumane” and “traumatic” treatment.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the government was “deeply concerned” by what it believes was the deliberate targeting of Ghanaian nationals arriving in Israel since December 7, 2025.
According to the ministry, seven Ghanaians were detained without explanation upon arrival in Tel Aviv, including four Members of Parliament attending an international cybersecurity conference. They were released only after more than five hours of “strenuous diplomatic intervention.”
The remaining three travellers were immediately deported and have since returned to Ghana.
Accra condemned the conduct of Israeli airport authorities as “extremely provocative, unacceptable and inconsistent” with the longstanding, friendly ties between the two countries. Ghana and Israel have enjoyed more than six decades of diplomatic relations, with historically smooth travel between the two nations.
Israel reportedly justified the detentions by claiming Ghana’s embassy in Tel Aviv had failed to cooperate in previous deportation cases, an explanation the Ghanaian government dismissed as “untenable.” Officials insist the mission has acted lawfully and promptly in its consular duties.
The Foreign Ministry will summon Israeli diplomats in Accra to formally register Ghana’s displeasure. It also confirmed that the government is considering “appropriate reciprocal action.”
Ghana emphasised that the treatment of its citizens at Ben Gurion Airport amounted to humiliation and violated norms of respectful diplomatic relations. The Israeli government has not yet publicly responded to Ghana’s protest.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
