Ghana Expels Three Israelis Over Mistreatment of Citizens

Ghana has deported three Israeli nationals in response to the alleged mistreatment and “unjustified deportation” of three Ghanaian travellers by Israeli authorities.

The action was confirmed in a statement released on Wednesday by the Ghanaian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and shared on X by Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Sam Okudzeto.

According to the statement, the three Israelis arrived in Accra earlier in the day but were immediately expelled after Ghanaian officials determined that Israel had unfairly targeted and traumatised Ghanaian travellers.

“Following the ill-treatment and unjustified deportation of three Ghanaian nationals by Israeli authorities, the Government of Ghana has been compelled to respond by deporting three Israelis who arrived in Ghana earlier today,” the statement said.

The ministry noted that the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Israeli Embassy in Accra was summoned, as the ambassador is currently out of the country.

Both governments have since agreed to seek an “amicable resolution” to the diplomatic dispute.

Ghana reiterated its commitment to protecting the dignity of its citizens and those of other nations, stating, “Ghana deeply values relations with all friendly countries and expects our citizens to be treated with dignity and respect, just as other governments expect Ghana to treat their nationals.”

The incident follows an earlier statement from Accra condemning the treatment of its citizens at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. Ghanaian authorities reported that seven travellers, including four members of a parliamentary delegation attending an international cybersecurity conference in Tel Aviv, were detained for hours without cause on December 7.

While the four lawmakers were released after more than five hours following diplomatic intervention, the remaining three travellers were deported and have since returned to Ghana.

Accra described Israel’s actions as “provocative, unacceptable, and inconsistent” with the longstanding relations between the two countries, which have lasted more than six decades.

The ministry rejected Israel’s claim that the incident resulted from alleged non-cooperation by the Ghanaian Embassy in Tel Aviv, insisting that its mission had fully complied with international protocols.

Prior to the retaliatory deportations, Ghana had warned that it was considering reciprocal measures. Israeli authorities have yet to issue a public response to Ghana’s action.