Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Ghana’s former Vice President and New Patriotic Party flagbearer for the 2028 elections, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and his wife, Samira Bawumia, have been securely relocated from Qatar to another country.
According to a Joynews report, the relocation was coordinated by Ghanaian diplomatic missions in the region, following direct instructions from Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Acting on behalf of the government of Ghana, the Foreign Affairs Minister directed Ghanaian embassies in the Middle East to take immediate steps to ensure the safety of the former Vice-President, his wife, and their entourage.
Embassy officials collaborated with host authorities to facilitate the swift and discreet travel arrangements.
Operational details remain undisclosed for security reasons, but officials described the process as smooth and well-coordinated.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the government of Ghana are working around the clock to safeguard all Ghanaians residing in or travelling through affected parts of the Middle East.
Authorities say monitoring efforts remain ongoing, with embassies on standby to provide consular support and emergency assistance where necessary.
The Middle East has been engulfed in one of the most intense regional crises in years, following a sharp escalation in hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The current conflict has expanded beyond traditional theatres, with military strikes, missile, and drone exchanges reported across several countries in the region.
This crisis centres on the 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis, which began on February 28, 2026, after coordinated military strikes by the US and Israel against Iran.
The offensive targeted military facilities and leadership structures, triggering Iranian retaliatory attacks and effectively disrupting maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—a critical artery for about 20% of global crude oil shipments.
The conflict’s impact has extended far beyond the military front. Airspace closures across Gulf states, disruptions to international travel, and heightened geopolitical uncertainty have compounded the humanitarian toll in parts of the region.
The United Nations has warned that deepening violence is exacerbating civilian suffering and complicating relief efforts.
Ghana has responded by activating emergency preparedness plans and, in recent days, evacuating diplomatic personnel from Tehran and other hotspots as regional security concerns mount.
The government has also urged Ghanaians to avoid non-essential travel to the Middle East and to register with embassies in affected countries for potential assistance.