Ghana News

How African Nations Are Responding to the Iran-Israel Conflict

Published

2 months ago

March 1, 2026

Accra, Ghana / London – March 1, 2026 – As the Israel-Iran conflict enters its most dangerous phase following joint US-Israeli airstrikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggered massive Iranian missile and drone retaliations across the Gulf, African governments have moved quickly to protect their citizens and diplomatic presence in the region.

African governments have issued a range of responses following Israel’s ongoing airstrikes against Iran. While some states, such as South Africa, Sudan and Mauritania, condemned the attacks, others refrained from criticism.

The African Union was among the first to respond, expressing “deep concern” over the violent escalation, which killed hundreds of Iranians and wounded thousands, and calling on all parties to avoid further military action.

How African Nations Are Evacuating Their Nationals Amid the Escalating Middle East Crisis

In a statement, the organisation urged “maximum restraint” and warned that the situation posed a “serious threat to international peace and security”.

South Africa, a long-time pro-Palestine ally, condemned the Israeli attack, slamming violations of international law. The country has consistently stood against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. In December 2023, it brought a case before the ICJ arguing that the war on the besieged territory breached the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention.

Meanwhile, Mauritania issued a strong statement condemning the strikes as an “attack on Iranian sovereignty and a violation of the UN Charter”. Protests were also held outside the US embassy in Nouakchott, with people voicing opposition to Israel’s actions.

Ghana has not issued a statement on its sentiments about the strike by Israel and the U.S. that has triggered what observers fear could be a long war.

Several African countries that maintain close ties with Israel have withheld comment. Among them is Morocco, which has not issued any official statement.

The country normalized relations in December 2020 under the US-brokered Abraham Accords. Since then, they have bolstered cooperation across defence, cybersecurity, and trade. In 2021, Israel opened a liaison office in Rabat, with the North African nation receiving advanced military technology like drones and air defence systems in the same period.

Rwanda is another Israeli ally that has remained silent. Kigali and Tel Aviv have long cooperated on intelligence, security and agricultural technology.

Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Kenya and Ethiopia, all of which have strong bilateral ties with Israel, have also avoided making direct statements about the attacks. Their responses have either been muted or framed in general terms about the need for regional stability.

Analysts noted that their neutrality is likely seeking to protect strategic relationships with Tel Aviv, while avoiding public backlash or diplomatic tension with other African and Middle Eastern allies. Many states continue to rely on US and EU development funding, which supports Israeli-aligned foreign policy.

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According to an explainer published by The New Arab, several African countries with significant diaspora communities in the Gulf and Iran have activated emergency protocols, issued travel advisories, begun partial or full evacuations, and urged restraint to prevent further escalation.

Key responses include:

Ghana has partially evacuated non-essential staff from its Tehran embassy, retaining only essential personnel for consular support. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised nationals in Iran, Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE to shelter in place, avoid crowds and sensitive sites, and register with diplomatic missions. Non-essential travel to the Middle East has been strongly discouraged.
Nigeria finalized emergency evacuation plans for citizens in Iran and Israel, with the foreign ministry coordinating logistics and urging immediate registration.
Sudan announced the immediate evacuation of all Sudanese nationals from affected areas.
Uganda is airlifting 48 students out of the region via Turkey.
Kenya is arranging similar repatriation flights for its citizens.
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) urged nationals to exercise vigilance, register with missions for tracking, and avoid unnecessary movement.

The conflict has severely disrupted commercial aviation, with airspace closures in Iran, Iraq, Qatar, and the UAE leading to mass flight cancellations.

Airlines, including Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, and others, suspended services, stranding thousands—including African sports teams (such as Ghana’s Black Queens football squad in Dubai) and students. Cruise lines like MSC Cruises also cancelled sailings.

The crisis has raised alarms over the safety of African migrant workers, students, and professionals in the Gulf, where remittances from the region are vital to many economies. Higher global oil and LNG prices resulting from the turmoil threaten to reverse recent single-digit inflation gains in oil-importing African nations and could exacerbate energy poverty and food price pressures.

African Union officials and analysts have called for urgent de-escalation, emphasizing that prolonged conflict in the Middle East risks destabilizing fragile economies, disrupting remittances, and diverting global attention from pressing continental issues such as debt, climate resilience, and security in the Sahel.

As the situation remains highly fluid, foreign ministries across Africa continue to monitor developments and prepare for further contingencies.

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Ghana News

Ghanaian Man Jailed for Minimum 16 Years for Murder of Deaf Woman in UK

Published

11 hours ago

April 16, 2026

GNG Staff

London, United Kingdom – A Ghanaian national, Duane Owusu, has been sentenced to a minimum of 16 years and six months in prison for the murder of 27-year-old deaf woman Zahwa Mukhtar, whom he punched and abandoned on a roadside in east London.

Owusu, 36, of Althorne Way in Dagenham, was convicted at the Old Bailey after a trial that revealed a tragic sequence of events on the night of August 15–16, 2025. Mukhtar, who had never met Owusu or his group before, joined them during a night out.

Berekum Chelsea Robbery Suspects Arrested, Power Supply Disruptions, and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today

After drinking and taking drugs, tensions escalated inside an overcrowded Mercedes. When the group stopped near a garage in Chadwell Heath Lane, Owusu forcibly removed Mukhtar from the car, threw her phone away, kicked towards her as she lay on the ground, and delivered a forceful blow to her neck. She fell backwards, hitting her head, and suffered a fatal fractured skull and brain injury. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 06:21 BST.

Judge Richard Marks KC described Owusu’s actions as showing complete disregard for Mukhtar’s welfare. He noted that while Owusu may not have immediately realised the severity of her injuries, he “couldn’t have cared less.” The judge also highlighted Owusu’s previous criminal record, including an eight-year sentence in 2010 for acting as a getaway driver in a fatal robbery.

Mukhtar’s brother, Jamaluddin, described her as a “remarkable young woman” who overcame deafness caused by meningitis at age three and never let her disability hold her back. The family expressed deep grief, calling her loss an “immeasurable void.”

The case has drawn attention to issues of violence against women and the vulnerabilities faced by deaf individuals in social situations. Owusu was released on bail pending any appeals.

Ghana News

Berekum Chelsea Robbery Suspects Arrested, Power Supply Disruptions, and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today

Published

12 hours ago

April 16, 2026

GNG Staff

We have curated the most relevant stories from Ghana to keep you informed. Today’s news cycle covers the arrest of suspects in the tragic armed robbery incident involving a football team, power supply disruptions due to technical faults, scheduled electricity maintenance, and other key developments in governance, justice, and national affairs.

Police Arrest Two Over Deadly Robbery Attack on Berekum Chelsea Team Bus
Police have arrested two suspects, including the alleged gang leader, in connection with a deadly armed robbery attack on the Berekum Chelsea team bus that resulted in the death of one player. The incident occurred as the team was returning from a Ghana Premier League match against Samartex 1996 at Samreboi. Six armed men blocked the VIP bus carrying about 30 players and officials around 10:30pm, opened fire, and forced the driver off the road. A police intelligence team later engaged the suspects in a shootout, injuring one who is now receiving treatment. The Ghana Police confirmed the arrests and stated that further details will be communicated. The attack has sent shockwaves through the football community.
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OSP Has Grounds to Appeal High Court Decision on Prosecutorial Powers – Prof Appiagyei Atua
Legal expert Prof. Kwadwo Appiagyei Atua has stated that the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has strong grounds to appeal the recent High Court decision that questioned its prosecutorial powers. The High Court had ruled that the OSP lacks independent authority to prosecute cases and directed the Attorney-General to take over all ongoing cases until proper authorisation is granted. Prof. Appiagyei Atua argued that the ruling raises important constitutional questions and that the OSP is well-positioned to challenge it at the Supreme Court level. The development has sparked debate on the independence of anti-corruption institutions in Ghana.
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Major Fault at Ghana Gas Processing Plant Triggers Power Supply Disruptions
A major technical fault at the Ghana Gas Processing Plant, caused by the complete failure of the Burner Management System controller for the Heat Medium System, has led to an emergency shutdown and temporary curtailment of gas supply to thermal power plants. The incident, announced in a joint press release on April 15, 2026, by Ghana Gas and the Ghana Grid Company, has resulted in power supply disruptions in some parts of the country. Engineers are working around the clock to replace the damaged system and carry out a comprehensive technical and safety risk assessment. Operations are expected to resume today, April 16, 2026, pending the outcome of the assessment. The companies have apologised to the public for the inconvenience.
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ECG Announces Planned Maintenance for April 16: See Full List of Affected Areas
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced planned maintenance works across four regional districts on Thursday, April 16, 2026, resulting in temporary power outages in several communities within the Central, Accra West, Tema, and Accra East Regions. The maintenance exercises, scheduled between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm or 5:00 pm depending on the location, are part of ongoing efforts to improve service delivery and enhance power supply reliability. Affected areas include Saltpond Zongo, Kurankyekrom, Otsir, Anomabo in Central Region; Dome CFC Estates, Gbawe Bulemin, Gonse, Joma Agbozome in Accra West; Lashibi, Community 19 Annex, Klagon in Tema Region; and parts of Nmaidzor and School Junction in Accra East. ECG has apologised to customers and advised them to make alternative arrangements during the specified hours.
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We Still Don’t Know 2020 Election Result Because ‘Unanimous FC’ Protected Jean Mensa – Tsatsu
Renowned legal practitioner Tsatsu Tsikata has criticised the Supreme Court panel that handled the 2020 presidential election petition, claiming it failed to allow proper questioning of Electoral Commission Chair Jean Mensa. Speaking at an Honourific Lecture and Award ceremony held in his honour by the University of Professional Studies, Accra on April 15, 2026, Tsikata described the panel as a “unanimous FC” for allegedly shielding Mensa. He pointed to inconsistencies in the results announced by Mensa and later corrections by the EC, arguing that the lack of testimony has left Ghanaians without a definitive accounting of the 2020 election outcome.
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Don’t Resign, Relax and Collect Your Pay – Prof Prempeh to Special Prosecutor
Former Education Minister Prof. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO) has advised the Special Prosecutor not to resign but to “relax and collect your pay” amid ongoing legal challenges to the office’s prosecutorial powers. The outspoken MP made the remarks in reaction to the recent High Court ruling that questioned the OSP’s authority. He argued that the Special Prosecutor should remain in office and continue performing his duties while the legal battles play out in the courts.
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Ten Killed in Deadly Crash on Accra-Kumasi Highway
Ten people have been killed in a tragic road accident on the Accra-Kumasi highway. The crash occurred when a vehicle lost control and collided with another, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. Emergency services responded promptly, but the incident has once again highlighted concerns over road safety on one of Ghana’s busiest highways.
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Strong Exports Lift Ghana’s Q4 2025 Trade Surplus to GH¢47.2bn
Ghana recorded a strong trade surplus of GH¢47.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, driven by robust export performance, particularly in key commodities. The positive trade balance reflects improving external sector conditions and stronger global demand for Ghanaian goods. Economists say sustained export growth will be critical for maintaining macroeconomic stability.
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