The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ghana has activated an emergency preparedness plan and initiated a partial evacuation of its embassy in Tehran following a joint military strike by the United States and Israel on Iran.
In an official press release dated February 28, 2026, the Ministry stated that it was “closely monitoring with serious concern the escalating hostilities in the Middle East” after retaliatory missile attacks spread across Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases. Ghanaian nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates are considered to be in potentially vulnerable locations.
According to the statement, “An emergency preparedness plan has been activated, and assessments are ongoing regarding the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals where necessary.” The Government has already begun evacuating several staff members from its Tehran mission, while retaining essential personnel to coordinate assistance for Ghanaians still residing in Iran.
The Ministry strongly urged Ghanaian nationals in affected countries to remain indoors, avoid large gatherings and sensitive locations, comply with local security directives, and keep travel documents readily accessible.
Citizens were also advised to maintain regular contact with the nearest Ghanaian diplomatic mission and to avoid non-essential travel to and from the Middle East until further notice.
The developments follow large-scale joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, with explosions reported in central Tehran. The operation came after a major U.S. military buildup in the region, including the deployment of two aircraft carriers, among them the USS Gerald R. Ford.
Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting U.S. military assets across the Gulf.
Qatar, home to the United States Central Command regional headquarters at Al Udeid Air Base, was reportedly among the hardest hit areas.
The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the U.S. Consulate in Dubai issued shelter-in-place directives for their personnel, while Ghana’s Embassy in Doha also released a similar advisory to Ghanaian nationals.
This is not the first time Ghana has had to take swift action to protect its citizens amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. During a previous surge in hostilities in June 2025, Ghana temporarily closed its Tehran embassy and evacuated the first group of nationals to Turkey by June 20, 2025.
That evacuation was coordinated by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, and covered diplomats, students, and professionals.
The effort followed intense diplomatic engagement with Iranian and Israeli representatives to secure safe passage.
The Ministry has provided emergency contact numbers for Ghanaians requiring consular assistance: +233 240 913 284 and +233 240 793 072. Citizens may also contact the Ghana Embassy in Israel at +972 54 931 6007.
All Ghanaian nationals in affected countries have been urged to register immediately with their nearest diplomatic mission as the situation continues to evolve.
