Ghana deports three Israelis in retaliation to ill-treatment of citizens

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the deportation of three Israeli nationals from Ghana, describing the move as a response to what it called the unjustifiable and ill-treatment of Ghanaian travelers by Israel.

The action has sparked a diplomatic row after the ministry earlier warned of potential reciprocal measures, following reports that four members of a Ghanaian parliamentary delegation were detained at Ben Gurion International Airport over allegations of non-cooperation by Ghana’s diplomatic mission in deporting an Israeli citizen in custody.

The counter-deportation follows the summoning of the Chargé d’Affaires ad Interim of the Embassy of Israel, as the Ambassador is currently out of the country’s jurisdiction to register its displeasure of the action in its strongest possible terms.

The ministry stressed that the decision reflects Ghana’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of its citizens and other nationals while maintaining respect for the shared values of other countries, expecting the same in return.

“Ghana deeply values our relations with all friendly countries and expects our citizens to be treated with dignity and respect, in much the same way as other governments expect Ghana to treat their nationals,” the statement read

The ministry, however, emphasized that both embassies have agreed to resolve the issue amicably to reset the strained ties that have lasted for over six decades and have yielded great dividends for both countries, especially in intelligence, cybersecurity, and defence cooperation for Ghana.

Source: Diplomatic Times