By Nadia Ntiamoah
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has issued a stern rebuke of the Government’s handling of an escalating humanitarian crisis, as close to a thousand Ghanaian nationals remain stranded in Israel and Iran amid intensifying military hostilities between the two Middle Eastern nations.
In a strongly worded statement released by Samuel Abu Jinapor, Member of Parliament for Damongo and Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Minority expressed alarm over what they described as a “disturbing lapse” in the Government’s preparedness and response to the deteriorating security situation in the region.
Rising Tensions
The diplomatic fallout comes as missile exchanges between Israel and Iran have intensified over the past week, prompting border closures and sparking widespread concern for foreign nationals caught in the crossfire — including many Ghanaians who are now facing growing uncertainty, with some reportedly displaced and in hiding.
The Minority warned that this evolving situation represents an “immediate and grave threat” to the lives of Ghanaian citizens and accused the Government of exhibiting “inefficiency, ineffectiveness, and a lack of proactive leadership.”
“It is unacceptable that the authorities failed to act with the urgency required, despite clear early warning signs that the conflict was worsening,” Jinapor stated.
Immediate Evacuation
The Minority is calling on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to act swiftly by activating all diplomatic and logistical mechanisms to facilitate the safe evacuation of Ghanaians currently trapped in the two conflict zones.
They are also demanding a comprehensive and pre-emptive evacuation strategy, designed in consultation with Ghana’s embassies in the region, international partners, and relevant agencies.
“This is not the time for bureaucratic indecision,” Jinapor stressed. “Every passing hour increases the risk to the lives of our fellow citizens.”
The call for evacuation echoes mounting pressure from concerned families back home and international observers who have noted the precarious situation of many African nationals, including students, workers, and missionaries who may lack the resources or protection to navigate the crisis unaided.
This latest incident revives lingering concerns about Ghana’s responsiveness in foreign crisis management.
In recent years, the Government has faced criticism for delayed evacuations of citizens from conflict zones — most notably during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and again during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, when several Ghanaian students were left stranded in Ukrainian cities for days.
The Minority argues that these repeated delays highlight systemic weaknesses in Ghana’s consular and emergency response frameworks.
