Ghana begins embassy staff evacuation from Iran as Middle East Conflict worsens

The Ghanaian government has commenced the evacuation of non-essential personnel from its Embassy in Tehran, citing a significant deterioration in regional security following coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran.

In an emergency press release issued on Saturday, February 28, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that it had “initiated the evacuation of a number of staff of the Embassy of Ghana in Tehran.” A skeletal staff will remain at the mission to provide essential consular services to Ghanaian citizens who choose to stay in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The decision comes in the wake of escalating military exchanges that have not only targeted sites within Iran but have also triggered retaliatory actions against Israeli and American assets in the Gulf region. According to the Ministry, Tehran has responded to the initial strikes with operations impacting Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The heightened tensions have led to airspace closures, widespread flight disruptions, and elevated security alerts across several Gulf states, raising urgent concerns for civilian safety.

The Ministry has issued an urgent advisory to all Ghanaian nationals residing in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Citizens have been instructed to:

· Remain indoors where possible.
· Strictly comply with all directives from local authorities.
· Avoid large gatherings and sensitive locations.
· Keep their travel documents accessible at all times.
· Monitor official communications closely and maintain contact with the nearest Ghanaian diplomatic mission.

“The Ministry advises Ghanaian nationals to avoid non-essential travel to and from the Middle East,” the statement read.

The government has activated emergency consular hotlines for Ghanaians in the region and confirmed that diplomatic missions are on standby to provide assistance. Officials stated that assessments are ongoing to determine the necessity of further evacuations. As of the time of this report, the government has not released an official tally of the total number of Ghanaian nationals currently residing in the affected countries.

In a call for de-escalation, the Government of Ghana urged the United States, Israel, and Iran to “exercise restraint, de-escalate and return to diplomatic engagement in the interest of protecting lives, ensuring economic stability and lasting regional peace.”