Ghana has completed the evacuation of all its citizens who requested government assistance to leave Israel, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced, describing the operation as a success.
Ablakwa made the announcement on his official Facebook page on Thursday, March 19, 2026, confirming that the evacuees had arrived safely in Ghana.
“Our evacuation operation in Israel has been a success. We have safely evacuated all Ghanaians who expressed the desire to be assisted by the Government of Ghana out of Israel back home,” he wrote.
The evacuation also covered some diplomatic staff from Ghana’s Embassy in Tel Aviv.
However, the Minister clarified that not all embassy personnel were pulled out; a skeleton crew has been left behind to provide essential consular services to Ghanaians who remain in Israel.
“Government has decided to leave behind a few critical staff for necessary consular support,” Ablakwa noted.
The Foreign Affairs Minister extended appreciation to both Israeli and Egyptian authorities for their cooperation in facilitating the operation, suggesting the evacuation route passed through Egypt, a detail consistent with the regional logistics of moving civilians out of Israel amid the ongoing conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran.
Ablakwa warmly welcomed the returning Ghanaians, saying they arrived in Ghana “a few hours ago.”
The successful evacuation comes as the Middle East remains on edge following escalating tensions in the Israel-US-Iran conflict, which has prompted several governments across the world to begin pulling their nationals out of the region as a precautionary measure.
President John Mahama’s administration had earlier signalled its intention to prioritise the safety of Ghanaians abroad in the face of the conflict.
Speaking during his Resetting Ghana Tour in the Bono Region earlier this week, President Mahama expressed confidence in Ghana’s ability to manage the external pressures stemming from the geopolitical tensions.
“The Mahama Administration will continue with safe evacuation efforts as we prioritise the welfare of all Ghanaians,” Ablakwa pledged, leaving open the possibility of further operations should the situation in the region deteriorate.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com