In separate high-level diplomatic meetings this week, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa firmly defended Ghana’s independent foreign policy stance while engaging with the ambassadors of Israel and Iran.
The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee hosted Israel’s H.E. Roey Gilad on Tuesday and Iran’s H.E. Ali Ghomshi on Wednesday, using the opportunity to clarify Ghana’s position on neutrality and multilateral diplomacy in the face of rising tensions between the two nations.
In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, Ablakwa revealed that he expressed Ghana’s “strong displeasure” over recent comments made by the Israeli Ambassador regarding the country’s voting pattern at international organizations.
“I urged him to respect our sovereign right to make independent decisions based on our longstanding globally acclaimed foreign policy principles anchored on Ghana’s national interest,” Ablakwa said.
He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to a non-aligned, peace-focused diplomatic tradition rooted in the 1992 Constitution and guided by respect for international law and multilateralism.
The meetings also addressed the humanitarian implications of the Israel-Iran conflict, with Ablakwa discussing Ghana’s ongoing evacuation efforts for its citizens in the region. The first batch of Ghanaians in Iran has been successfully relocated to Turkey, and similar plans are underway for those in Israel.
Despite the sensitive nature of the situation, Ablakwa made it clear that Ghana’s foreign policy decisions would not be dictated by external pressure or partisan expectations.
“These cherished principles will continue to guide Ghana’s foreign policy imperatives within all international organizations,” he emphasized.
