Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, has urged the government to employ “quiet, calm and strategic diplomacy” in handling the escalating diplomatic spat between Ghana and Israel over reciprocal deportations.
The Damongo MP’s appeal follows a week of heightened tensions triggered by the deportation of 3 Ghanaian nationals from Tel Aviv and Ghana’s subsequent refusal of entry to three Israeli citizens who arrived at Kotoka International Airport on 10 December.
In a statement on Friday, Mr Jinapor said the Minority fully supports legitimate efforts to protect Ghanaian citizens abroad and defend national dignity, but cautioned that the current public exchanges risk damaging long-standing relations.
“Any effort by the Government of Ghana to protect the interest of Ghanaians abroad and safeguard the dignity of Ghanaians should be welcomed. The Minority welcomes such effort,” he said.
However, he expressed concern over what he described as the Foreign Affairs Minister’s increasingly confrontational public posture, particularly after Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa claimed Israel had apologised for the treatment meted out to Ghanaian deportees – a statement promptly denied by the Israeli Embassy in Accra.
“His conduct and public row as Minister for Foreign Affairs is becoming one too many. The issue relating to the apology and denial by the Israeli Embassy is very disturbing and potentially embarrassing,” Mr Jinapor noted.
Reminding Ghanaians that the country was the first in sub-Saharan Africa to establish diplomatic relations with Israel in 1956, the former Deputy Chief of Staff stressed the need to preserve Ghana’s reputation for measured and principled foreign policy.
“Ghana’s foreign policy response must be guided by sound judgement, prudence and measured engagement through the appropriate diplomatic channels,” he said.
The Ranking Member announced that the Minority will raise the matter on the floor of Parliament next week and demand full accountability from the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.