The Government of Ghana has lodged a strong diplomatic protest against the State of Israel following the detention and alleged ill-treatment of seven Ghanaian travellers at the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration described the actions of Israeli authorities as “inhumane, unjustifiable, and discriminatory,” revealing that the travellers, among them four Members of Parliament attending the Annual International Cybersecurity Conference, were detained without cause for hours.
According to the Ministry, the MPs regained their freedom only after over five hours of intense diplomatic engagement, while the remaining three travellers were forcibly deported on the next available flight and have since returned to Ghana.
“The Government of Ghana is appalled at the ill-treatment meted out to Ghanaian nationals travelling to Israel,” the statement read. “We consider the actions of the Israeli authorities as unfairly targeting Ghanaian travellers and hereby register our strong reservations against the humiliating treatment of our citizens at the Ben Gurion International Airport.”
Ghana Rejects Israel’s Justification
Israel is reported to have defended its actions by claiming that Ghana’s Embassy in Tel Aviv failed to cooperate with deportation procedures. However, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry dismissed the explanation as ‘totally untenable’, insisting that the mission has been “responsive and compliant with international law.”
The Ministry further condemned the conduct of Israeli airport officials as “extremely provocative and inconsistent with the friendly historic relations” the two countries have shared for over six decades.
Ghana and Israel have long maintained cordial diplomatic ties with high volumes of travel between the two nations, making the recent incident a significant diplomatic flashpoint.
Ghana to Consider Reciprocal Action
As part of its response, the government will today summon the Israeli Ambassador to Accra to formally convey Ghana’s displeasure “in the strongest possible terms.” The Ministry added that it is considering appropriate reciprocal action, signalling that Ghana may impose measures should Israel fail to address the matter satisfactorily.
Reaffirming the government’s stance, Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa wrote on social media:
“The Government of Ghana is appalled at the ill-treatment meted out to Ghanaian travellers by Israeli authorities. We strongly protest. Ghana is considering immediate reciprocal action.”
The development has prompted national debate on travel safety, diplomatic relations, and the treatment of African travellers at international airports.
Ghana’s Foreign Ministry has assured the public that it remains committed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all Ghanaian citizens abroad.
