Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has confirmed that Israel has officially apologised to Ghana and appealed for de-escalation following a diplomatic spat triggered by the deportation of three Ghanaian nationals.
Appearing on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Thursday, December 11, 2025, Mr Ablakwa disclosed that Israeli authorities reached out after Ghana retaliated by expelling three Israeli nationals earlier this week.
“The Israeli authorities have now apologised for the action they carried out and have called for de-escalation because we made it clear that if they deported 10 Ghanaians, we will deport 10, 20 will deport 20, 50 will deport 50. We are not going to accept this,” the Minister stated.
He described Israel’s initial justification for deporting the Ghanaians as “absolutely untenable.”
The row began when Israeli authorities deported three Ghanaian citizens — two who were in the country to attend a cybersecurity conference and one on pilgrimage — under what Ghana described as ill-treatment and unjustified circumstances.
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, in a statement dated December 10, 2025, announced the immediate deportation of three Israeli nationals residing in Ghana, citing reciprocity and the need to protect the dignity of Ghanaian citizens abroad.
Mr Ablakwa stressed that Ghana’s firm response was grounded in its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and served as a clear message that the country will not tolerate unfair treatment of its citizens.
The Minister welcomed Israel’s apology and call for calm, signalling that the matter is now on course for amicable resolution while reiterating Ghana’s commitment to defending the rights of its citizens worldwide.