The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has assured the public that no Ghanaian has died or been injured in the raging Israel-Iran conflict.
He announced this in a post on Facebook on June 16.
“No Ghanaian fatality or injuries. Evacuation from Iran proceeding successfully. Ghana’s embassy in Israel has identified 922 Ghanaians currently living in Israel. Included in that figure are 65 Ghanaian students studying in 6 Israeli universities. Channels for regular communication with the Ghanaian community in Israel has been established,” he wrote.
Mr Ablakwa added, “With Israeli authorities declaring a state of emergency and closing all borders, an evacuation from Israel cannot be carried out now except with the express authorization of Israeli authorities — Ghana is pursuing those approval options.”
The deadly conflict between Israel and Iran has entered its fourth day, with both sides firing new waves of missiles overnight amid international pleas for diplomacy and de-escalation. Iran’s early Monday strikes have hit an Israeli oil refinery and damaged part of the power grid.
Read full statement below:
PROTECTING GHANAIANS DURING THE ISRAEL-IRAN CONFLICT (UPDATE No. 2)
1) No Ghanaian fatality or injuries.
2) Evacuation from Iran proceeding successfully.
3) Ghana’s embassy in Israel has identified 922 Ghanaians currently living in Israel.
4) Included in that figure are 65 Ghanaian students studying in 6 Israeli universities.
5) Channels for regular communication with the Ghanaian community in Israel has been established.
6) With Israeli authorities declaring a state of emergency and closing all borders, an evacuation from Israel cannot be carried out now except with the express authorization of Israeli authorities — Ghana is pursuing those approval options.
7) In a briefing by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, all diplomats and embassy officials from all over the world have been encouraged to work from home — our embassy is complying with that advice.
8)We are ensuring that all Ghanaians living in Israel have access to bomb shelters.
9) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has approved an Emergency Evacuation Plan for Israel which will be promptly activated when conditions are met.
10) President Mahama’s Administration is resolved to spare no effort in ensuring that Ghanaians caught up in this Israeli-Iranian conflict are offered full protection and removed from danger. We shall not fail our compatriots.
For God and Country.
