Ghana protests inhumane treatment against Ghanaian travellers at Israel airport

The Government of Ghana has strongly protested what it describes as inhumane treatment of Ghanaian travellers by Israeli authorities at the Ben Gurion International Airport.

The protest follows a December 7 incident in which seven Ghanaians, including four members of Parliamentary delegation, were detained upon arrival in Tel Aviv.

The delegation were in the country to participate in the Annual International Cybersecurity Conference.

Government says they were released only after more than five hours of diplomatic intervention.

Three other travellers were deported on the next available flight and have since returned to Accra.

According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the detention occurred despite Ghana’s long-standing cordial relations with Israel spanning more than six decades.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 10, the ministry described the treatment as “inhumane and traumatic,” stressing that Ghanaian travellers appeared to have been “deliberately targeted” by Israeli officials.

It further rejected Israel’s explanation that the actions stemmed from alleged non-cooperation by the Ghanaian Embassy in Tel Aviv regarding deportation processes.

According to the ministry, “totally untenable as the facts confirm that our mission in Tel Aviv has been responsive and compliant with international practice.”

The ministry says officials of the Israeli Embassy in Accra will be summoned to register Ghana’s displeasure.

Government is also considering reciprocal measures as diplomatic discussions continue.