Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed that government is working on securing bomb shelters for Ghanaians currently residing in Israel, as tensions intensify between Israel and Iran.
In a second official update, the Minister revealed that a total of 922 Ghanaians have been identified in Israel, including 65 students enrolled in six universities. While evacuation proceedings from Iran have been successfully carried out, Israel’s declaration of a state of emergency and subsequent border closures have stalled similar plans for evacuation from Israel.
“The Emergency Evacuation Plan for Ghanaians in Israel has been approved and will be activated once conditions permit,” Ablakwa stated, adding that no Ghanaian casualties or injuries have been recorded so far.
He noted that communication channels have been established with the Ghanaian community, and the government is closely monitoring the situation to ensure their safety.
“President Mahama’s administration is resolved to spare no effort in ensuring that Ghanaians caught up in this Israeli-Iranian conflict are offered full protection and removed from danger. We shall not fail our compatriots,” the Minister assured.
Background
The Israel-Iran conflict escalated sharply in mid-April 2025, following an unprecedented Israeli offensive code-named Operation Rising Lion. The attack dealt a major blow to Iran’s military and nuclear command structure, killing Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the second-highest military official after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Also eliminated were Revolutionary Guard chief Hossein Salami and Gen. Gholamali Rashid, deputy commander in chief of Iran’s armed forces.
Launched around 3:30 a.m. local time, the Israeli assault targeted Iran’s critical military and nuclear infrastructure, including the Natanz atomic facility, the country’s main nuclear enrichment site. At least six of Iran’s top nuclear scientists were also killed in the attack, which extended to Iran’s ballistic missile sites.
In retaliation, Iran launched over 100 drones and 200 rockets toward Israeli territory. As of June 15, Israeli authorities have confirmed 13 deaths, including three minors, and at least 380 injuries, with nine people in critical condition. Twenty-two impact sites were identified across Israel.
Iran’s Supreme Leader described the Israeli strikes as a “declaration of war,” vowing bloody revenge, and pushing the Middle East closer to a full-scale regional conflict