The Government of Ghana, acting through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has denounced the reported ill-treatment of Ghanaian nationals at Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport.

In a statement issued on December 10, 2025, and signed by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the government expressed deep concern over accounts that Ghanaian travellers have been deliberately targeted and subjected to what it termed degrading and distressing treatment since Sunday, December 7.

The statement revealed that seven Ghanaian citizens were detained on that day without any clear justification. Among them were four members of a parliamentary delegation en route to Tel Aviv for the Annual International Cybersecurity Conference.

After more than five hours in detention and following sustained diplomatic intervention, the four were released. However, the remaining three travellers were deported on the next available flight and have since arrived back in Ghana.

The government described the actions of Israeli authorities as discriminatory and demeaning, emphasizing that Ghanaian citizens were unfairly singled out. It further noted that Ghana and Israel share over six decades of cordial diplomatic relations, during which travel between citizens of both nations has traditionally been seamless.

Ghana also dismissed assertions by Israeli officials that the deportations resulted from a lack of cooperation by the Ghanaian Embassy in Tel Aviv, labeling the claim unacceptable. The government insisted that the embassy has consistently operated within the bounds of international law.

Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that officials of the Israeli Embassy in Accra would be summoned to formally express Ghana’s strong dissatisfaction, while indicating that appropriate reciprocal actions are under consideration.

“Following our investigations, the justification offered by the Israeli Government—alleged non-cooperation by our Embassy in the deportation process—is completely untenable. The facts clearly show that our mission in Tel Aviv acted responsibly and in full compliance with international law. Consequently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will this morning summon officials of the Israeli Embassy in Accra to register our displeasure in the strongest possible terms,” the statement said.

The ministry concluded by inviting the public to review the full statement for further details.