Foreign Affairs Ministry summons Israeli envoy over “traumatic” treatment of Ghanaians
The government of Ghana has issued a strong protest to Israel after seven Ghanaian travellers were detained and subjected to what officials describe as inhumane and unjustifiable treatment at the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.
A press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, said the government was “appalled at the ill-treatment meted out to Ghanaian nationals travelling to Israel” and expressed deep concern that Ghanaian travellers had been “deliberately targeted and subjected to inhumane and traumatic treatment” since Sunday, December 7, 2025.
According to the Ministry, seven Ghanaians, including four MPs attending the Annual International Cybersecurity Conference in Tel Aviv, were detained at the airport without cause.
They were released only after “more than five hours of strenuous diplomatic intervention”. The statement added that the remaining three travellers were deported on the next available flight and have since returned to Ghana.
The government described the actions of Israeli authorities as discriminatory and unacceptable. “The Government of Ghana considers the actions of the Israeli authorities as unfairly targeting Ghanaian travellers and accordingly conveys its strong reservations against the humiliating treatment of our citizens at the Ben Gurion International Airport,” the statement said.
It further condemned the conduct of Israeli officials as “extremely provocative, unacceptable and inconsistent with our friendly historical relations”, noting that the two countries have enjoyed cordial diplomatic ties and high volumes of unhindered travel for more than six decades.
Israel has reportedly justified its actions by claiming non-cooperation from Ghana’s Embassy in Tel Aviv regarding deportation processes. The Foreign Affairs Ministry rejected this explanation, describing it as “totally untenable”, adding that “our mission in Tel Aviv has been responsive and compliant with international law”.
The Ministry will today summon officials of the Israeli Embassy in Accra to formally register Ghana’s displeasure “in the strongest possible terms”. The statement also noted that government is considering “appropriate reciprocal action”.
In a post on social media, Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa reinforced the government’s position, writing: “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.”