The Minority in Parliament is calling on the government to immediately evacuate Ghanaians stranded in Israel and Iran, warning that lives are in imminent danger amid escalating hostilities in the Middle East.

In a statement shared on Facebook by Damongo MP and Minority member, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, the opposition described the government’s handling of the situation as “distressingly slow” and “deeply regrettable.”

“The Minority in Parliament is deeply concerned by reports that nearly one thousand Ghanaians are currently stranded in Israel,” the statement began, citing the sudden closure of Israeli borders due to intensifying conflict.

The Minority also expressed alarm over the plight of Ghanaians in Iran, many of whom have reportedly been displaced as a result of ongoing missile exchanges between the two nations.

“We are equally alarmed by the displacement of scores of our compatriots in Iran due to the intensifying missile exchanges… which pose a grave and immediate threat to their lives and safety,” the statement added.

Blaming the government for inaction, the Minority said the current situation reflects a “disturbing lapse” in crisis response.

“It is unacceptable that the authorities failed to act with the urgency required, despite clear early warning signs that the conflict was worsening.”

They described the delay as a symptom of a broader leadership failure, warning that continued inaction could result in tragedy.

“This delay reflects a troubling degree of inefficiency, ineffectiveness, and a lack of proactive leadership at a time when swift action was imperative.”

The Minority is now demanding urgent intervention through diplomatic and logistical channels to safeguard Ghanaian citizens abroad.

“We strongly urge the government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to immediately activate all available diplomatic and logistical channels to secure the safe evacuation of Ghanaians from both Israel and Iran without further delay.”

They further called for the development of a full-scale evacuation plan that includes collaboration with Ghana’s diplomatic missions and international partners.

“We call on the Ministry to urgently develop a comprehensive evacuation strategy… The safety and wellbeing of Ghanaians abroad must be treated as a national priority and not subjected to bureaucratic inertia or indecision.”

With tensions between Israel and Iran flaring and foreign nationals increasingly at risk, the Minority warned that delay is not an option.

“The apparent paralysis in the State’s ability to protect and assist its citizens in this time of crisis is deeply regrettable and utterly unacceptable. Every passing hour increases the risk to the lives of our fellow citizens caught in the crossfire.”

The statement ended with a direct and urgent call for action: “The Minority demands immediate action. Government must act decisively, and it must act now.”