Ghana has shut its embassy in Tehran indefinitely and activated a formal evacuation plan for Ghanaian nationals across the Middle East, as Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed on Wednesday that no Ghanaian has been killed or injured since the outbreak of hostilities in the region.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs completed the full withdrawal of all diplomatic staff from Iran on Monday, March 2, with Mr Ablakwa describing the operation as successful. “Ghana’s embassy in Iran is now closed sine die,” he stated, adding that the evacuated diplomats were safe and in good spirits.
On Tuesday evening, Mr Ablakwa convened a virtual emergency meeting with Ghana’s Ambassadors and Consuls General across the Middle East, with Heads of Mission from Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran, and Turkey all participating. Following that session, the minister reported that verified mission updates showed no Ghanaian casualty or injury had been recorded since the conflict began on February 28.
All diplomatic missions have been directed to compile a database of Ghanaians in their jurisdictions and identify those willing to be evacuated for urgent government consideration. Diplomatic staff are already facilitating the exit of a number of nationals through land border crossings where flight routes are unavailable or suspended.
Among those receiving consular support are the Black Queens, Ghana’s senior women’s national football team, who were stranded in the UAE after flight cancellations halted regional air travel. The delegation of 25 players and 16 officials had travelled to Dubai on February 25 for the Pink Ladies Cup, a four-nation invitational tournament. Mr Ablakwa commended embassy staff in the UAE for their swift response in supporting both the team and other Ghanaian nationals affected by the disruption.
The Ministry has maintained a travel advisory urging Ghanaians to avoid all non-essential travel to the Middle East until further notice. Citizens already in affected countries including Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Israel, and the UAE have been advised to remain indoors, keep travel documents accessible, and stay in contact with the nearest Ghanaian diplomatic mission.
