Ghana has strongly condemned Israel for what it describes as inhumane and discriminatory treatment of seven Ghanaian travellers detained at Ben Gurion Airport on December 7, 2025. Four of the travellers were released following diplomatic intervention by the Ghanaian Embassy in Tel Aviv, while Israel deported three others, citing security concerns.
The Ghanaian government rejected claims by Israeli authorities that the detentions were due to a lack of cooperation from Ghana’s diplomatic mission. Accra accused Israeli security personnel of profiling Ghanaian passport holders, describing the actions as “unjustified, humiliating, and discriminatory.” Officials noted that the detained travellers were subjected to extended questioning and delays, with some reports indicating they were held for several hours without access to legal counsel or consular assistance.
In response to the incident, Ghana summoned the Israeli ambassador to formally lodge a protest and demanded a detailed explanation for the detentions. The government emphasized that such treatment threatens more than 60 years of cordial diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries.
Authorities in Accra are also considering immediate reciprocal measures, which could include stricter visa requirements for Israeli nationals or other diplomatic responses, as they evaluate the full impact of the incident. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the matter as “serious” and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of Ghanaian citizens abroad.
The incident comes amid broader concerns about profiling and discriminatory treatment of African travellers in certain countries, highlighting the need for stronger protections and adherence to international human rights standards. Ghana’s government has called for Israel to take immediate steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
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