Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, Ghana’s Embassy in Tehran has officially closed its doors to public operations.
Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the immediate evacuation of Ghanaians living in Iran due to heightened tensions between Israel and Iran.
In a Facebook post on Monday, June 16, 2025, he said the Mahama administration has taken the decision in the interest of safeguarding Ghanaian lives as the conflict intensifies.
“The Mahama Administration has, in the interest of the protection of Ghanaian lives, decided to immediately evacuate Ghanaians living in Iran following an escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict,” he said.
He said “We (government) are equally keenly following developments in Israel and will advise shortly,” the Minister added.
“In the interim, we have instructed that embassy operations in Tel Aviv be reduced to the barest minimum, and all Ghanaians in Israel must maintain close communication with our consular department,” he added.
Ablakwa, however, stated that diplomatic relations remain cordial and constructive; the closure follows a precautionary approach in reaction to mounting regional volatility, adding that “no effort will be spared in protecting Ghanaian lives and keeping all Ghanaians out of harm’s way”, and reiterated Ghana’s call for restraint from both sides of the conflict.
“The Government of Ghana reiterates its demand on both parties to pursue diplomatic options and end hostilities,” Ablakwa noted.
Israel launched an airstrike early Friday targeting Iran’s nuclear, missile, and military facilities, in what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as an effort to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s survival.
In the days that followed, both nations exchanged multiple deadly attacks, resulting in rising casualties and escalating fears of a wider regional conflict. The United States, while not directly involved in the offensives, has supported Israel’s defence against waves of Iranian missile and drone strikes.
