Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to maintaining cordial relations with Israel.
According to him, the country will not cut ties with Isreal as they try to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Gaza.
Speaking on TV3 on October 4, Okudzeto Ablakwa said Ghana remains guided by its long-standing non-aligned foreign policy and will not take sides in the ongoing Middle East crisis.
“You can see Ghana is still conscious of our non-allying role.”
“We are not going to cut ties with the Israelis or reduce our bilateral cooperation.”
He added, “I’ve been telling my good friend Israeli Ambassador that the way we are brought up in this country, a good friend is the one who is going to tell you that this time you got it wrong.”
He went on to say this does not affect the country’s relationship with Palestine as well.
“Neither are we going to say that we will stay away from the Palestinians.”
He added that Ghana intends to strengthen its bilateral engagements with both parties, particularly in education and cultural exchange.
“We will maintain cordial bilateral relations with both sides. We will deepen those ties. Indeed, we are doing a lot in terms of education, culture.”
Hon. Ablakwa then referenced President John Dramani Mahama’s speech at the recent UN General Assembly, saying Ghana’s diplomatic posture remains rooted in Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s principle.
“I like how President Mahama quoted Nkrumah during his address: ‘We seek to be friends to all and enemies to none.’ That has always been our strategy, and it will continue to guide us in our foreign policy.”
Ghana has previously advocated for dialogue and a two-state solution to the ongoing Isreal-Palestine war, which experts have called a genocide.
