The Minority in Parliament has issued a sharp rebuke to the Government of Ghana over what it describes as a delayed and inadequate response to the worsening conflict in the Middle East, where close to a thousand Ghanaians are said to be stranded in Israel, and others are displaced in Iran.
In a statement shared on Facebook by Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, the Minority expressed deep concern over the lack of urgency in securing the safety of Ghanaian citizens caught in the escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran.
“The Minority in Parliament is deeply concerned by reports that nearly one thousand Ghanaians are currently stranded in Israel, following the closure of that country’s borders amidst escalating hostilities,” the statement said. “We are equally alarmed by the displacement of scores of our compatriots in Iran due to the intensifying missile exchanges between Israel and Iran, which pose a grave and immediate threat to their lives and safety.”
Jinapor described the situation as a “distressing development” that exposes the Government’s failure to respond in time, despite early warnings of the looming danger.
“This delay reflects a troubling degree of inefficiency, ineffectiveness, and a lack of proactive leadership at a time when swift action was imperative,” he stated.
The Minority is calling for an immediate intervention by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urging the use of all diplomatic and logistical resources to evacuate Ghanaian citizens from the troubled region.
“We strongly urge the Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to immediately activate all available diplomatic and logistical channels to secure the safe evacuation of Ghanaians from both Israel and Iran without further delay.”
They are also pressing for the development of a broader evacuation strategy that involves collaboration with Ghana’s diplomatic missions, international partners, and relevant institutions.
“The safety and wellbeing of Ghanaians abroad must be treated as a national priority and not subjected to bureaucratic inertia or indecision,” the statement stressed.
As the conflict in the Middle East continues to intensify, the Minority says the government’s slow pace could lead to tragic consequences if immediate steps are not taken.
“The apparent paralysis in the State’s ability to protect and assist its citizens in this time of crisis is deeply regrettable and utterly unacceptable,” Jinapor warned. “The Minority demands immediate action. Government must act decisively, and it must act now.”
The government is yet to issue a formal response to the Minority’s concerns, but with tensions mounting in the region and the safety of citizens on the line, public pressure for swift action is growing by the day.
