The Government of Ghana says it is considering reciprocal action against Israel over what it describes as the ill-treatment of its citizens travelling to the country via the Ben Gurion International Airport.
In a statement dated December 10, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it has taken notice of Ghanaian travellers being deliberately targeted and subjected to inhumane and traumatic treatment at the said airport since December 1.
“The Government of the Republic of Ghana wishes to express its strong protest and deplores the recent ill-treatment meted out to Ghanaian nationals travelling to Israel at the entry port of Ben Gurion International Airport. The Government has observed with great concern that since Sunday, December 7, 2025, Ghanaian travellers have been deliberately targeted and subjected to inhumane and traumatic treatment,” the Ministry said.
According to the Ministry, some Ghanaian travellers, including members of a parliamentary delegation, were detained without justifiable cause. Diplomatic intervention was required to secure the release of some of the travellers, while others were deported.
“On the day in issue, seven (7) Ghanaian travellers to Israel were detained at the Ben Gurion International Airport without justifiable cause. The detained included four (4) members of a Parliamentary delegation taking part in the ongoing Annual International Cybersecurity Conference in Tel Aviv. They were only released after more than five hours of strenuous diplomatic intervention. The remaining three (3) were deported on the next available flight and have since arrived in Ghana,” the statement said.
Noting the cordial relations that have existed between the two nations over the years, the Government of Ghana described the incident as condemnable and unacceptable.
Ghana further rejected Israel’s justification for the incident, adding that it will summon Israeli officials to convey its displeasure and warned that it will consider appropriate reciprocal actions.
“It is worth highlighting that Ghana and Israel have enjoyed cordial relations for more than six decades with considerable high volumes of unimpeded travel by citizens of both nations. This condemnable conduct by Israeli authorities is extremely provocative, unacceptable and inconsistent with our friendly historical relations.”
The Ministry rejected Israel’s justification for the incident which it described as untanable.
“Following our enquiries, we find the justification provided by the Israeli Government being an alleged non-cooperation of our Embassy in the deportation of Ghanaians in Israeli custody as totally untenable as the facts confirm that our mission in Tel Aviv has been responsive and compliant with international law.”
The statement concluded with the planned diplomatic action by the government of Ghana and a warning.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will this morning summon officials of the Israeli Embassy in Accra to convey our displeasure in the strongest possible terms. Meanwhile, the Government of Ghana is considering appropriate reciprocal action.”
