Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has indicated that all Ghanaians in the Middle East are safe amid the ongoing tensions in the area. No Ghanaian has been killed or injured, he has noted.
He says the government has assessed the situation in the area and strengthened consular protection for citizens. This comes on the back of the US-Israel war on Iran where missiles were launched earlier this week, leading to the death of the Supreme Leader of Iran.
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The Minister, after a virtual meeting with Ghana’s envoys in the region said the government devised further steps needed to secure the safety of Ghanaians in the area after the discussions.
“I convened a virtual meeting with our Ambassadors and Consuls General in the Middle East to assess the latest developments and explore additional consular interventions towards the protection of Ghanaians,” he stated.
The meeting was attended by Heads of Mission in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Turkey. “I am glad to report that so far no Ghanaian has been killed or injured,” he added.
Ablakwa added that his outfit has compiled a comprehensive database of Ghanaians in the region, including residents, those in transit, as well as short term visitors.
“We have put together a reliable database of all Ghanaians in these countries, including those who were on short visits and those who were transiting,” he noted.
Government is also ready to make arrangement for citizens who want to be evacuated, and has therefore informed all diplomatic missions to identify such people.
He further revealed that Ghana’s missions are currently assisting several nationals to exit through strategic border crossings.
“All missions have been tasked to identify Ghanaians within their jurisdictions who wish to be evacuated for the urgent consideration of the government,” he said, adding that “our diplomatic missions are currently assisting a considerable number of Ghanaians escape across certain strategic border crossings.”
The safety of Ghanaians, the Minister noted, is a priority of the Government, stressing that it will continue to monitor developments in the region to adjust its plans as time goes by.
“The safety and welfare of all Ghanaians remains our utmost priority,” he emphasised.
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