The Minority Caucus has criticised government’s handling of the worsening Middle East conflict, condemning what it describes as an “unacceptable delay” in responding to the plight of stranded Ghanaians.

In a statement posted on Facebook by the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, the Minority expressed deep concern over reports that nearly 1,000 Ghanaian nationals are currently trapped in Israel.

This follows the closure of the country’s borders amidst escalating hostilities with Iran.

The statement also highlights the displacement of scores of Ghanaians in Iran as the conflict intensifies.

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

According to the Caucus, the government failed to respond with the urgency the situation demanded, despite “clear early warning signs that the conflict was worsening.”

“This distressing development highlights a disturbing lapse in the Government’s response,” the Damongo MP said.

“It is unacceptable that the authorities failed to act with the urgency required…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 demanding that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs “immediately activate all available diplomatic and logistical channels to secure the safe evacuation” of Ghanaian nationals from both conflict zones.

“The safety and wellbeing of Ghanaians abroad must be treated as a national priority and not subjected to bureaucratic inertia or indecision,” it added.

The statement also calls for a comprehensive evacuation strategy, developed in collaboration with Ghana’s diplomatic missions, international partners, and other stakeholders.

“We strongly urge the Government… to urgently develop a comprehensive evacuation strategy… Every passing hour increases the risk to the lives of our fellow citizens caught in the crossfire of this conflict,” the Minority warned.

As tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, and as missile exchanges and military strikes grow in intensity, the Minority said the government’s “apparent paralysis in the State’s ability to protect and assist its citizens in this time of crisis is deeply regrettable and utterly unacceptable.”

The post ends with a resounding call to action:

“The Minority demands immediate action. Government must act decisively, and it must act now.”

The government is yet to officially respond to the Minority’s demands or confirm details of any ongoing evacuation plans.

However, families of those stranded in the region continue to appeal for swift intervention as the situation becomes increasingly volatile.