Ablakwa Hits Back at Israel's Ambassador Over Criticism of Ghana's Voting Record
Accra, Ghana - 20 June, 2025 - Ghana has firmly rebuked Israel's ambassador over comments criticizing Ghana's voting record at international organizations. Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa summoned Ambassador Roey Gilad to his office, expressing strong displeasure at the diplomat's remarks.
The controversy surrounds Ghana's abstention from a vote at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding Iran's compliance with nuclear non-proliferation obligations.
Israel had expressed disappointment at Ghana's decision, prompting the ambassador's comments.
Ablakwa emphasized that Ghana's foreign policy decisions are guided by principles enshrined in the 1992 Constitution, including a commitment to peace-building, non-alignment, and respect for international law.
He underscored Ghana's sovereign right to make independent decisions, free from external influence.
"It is worth emphasising that in the meeting with the Israeli Ambassador, I registered Ghana’s strong displeasure at his recent public pronouncements questioning Ghana’s voting pattern at international organisations," Ablakwa stated in facebook post.
"I urged him to respect our sovereign right to make independent decisions based on our longstanding globally acclaimed foreign policy principles anchored on Ghana’s national interest as espoused by the 1992 Constitution, pacifist approach to peace building, non-alignment, respect for the UN Charter, adherence to the rule-based international order, belief in multilateralism and strict compliance with international law."
The minister's rebuke reflects Ghana's commitment to maintaining its independence and sovereignty in international relations. Ghana's current membership on the UN Human Rights Council and chairmanship of the IAEA's governing board underscore its influential role in global affairs.
The diplomatic spat comes as Ghana navigates a complex situation in the Middle East, where tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated.
According to Ablakwa, Ghana has initiated emergency evacuations of its citizens from Iran, with the first group already safely evacuated to Turkey.
He added that efforts are underway to evacuate Ghanaians from Israel as well.
''So far, the first batch of Ghanaians in Iran have been evacuated to Turkey successfully. Our fellow nationals living in Israel will be evacuated shortly.''
Source: Lead News Online
