Bawumia and wife evacuated from Qatar by Ghanaian embassies as Middle East tensions escalate

Ghana’s former Vice-President and 2028 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mahamudu Bawumia, and his wife, Samira Bawumia, have been safely evacuated from Qatar to another country as tensions intensify in the Middle East.

According to diplomatic sources who spoke to JoyNews, the relocation was carried out by Ghanaian diplomatic missions in the region following directives from Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

Acting on behalf of the Government of Ghana, the Foreign Affairs Minister instructed Ghana’s embassies in the Middle East to take urgent steps to ensure the safety of Dr Bawumia, his wife and members of their delegation.

Embassy officials reportedly collaborated with authorities in the host country to arrange a swift and discreet departure. While specific operational details have not been disclosed for security reasons, officials described the evacuation as seamless and carefully coordinated.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it is working continuously to protect all Ghanaian citizens living in or transiting through affected areas in the Middle East. Ghanaian embassies in the region remain on alert, offering consular services and emergency support where needed.

Ghana’s former Vice-President and 2028 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mahamudu Bawumia, and his wife, Samira Bawumia, have been safely evacuated from Qatar to another country as tensions intensify in the Middle East.

According to diplomatic sources who spoke to JoyNews, the relocation was carried out by Ghanaian diplomatic missions in the region following directives from Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

Acting on behalf of the Government of Ghana, the Foreign Affairs Minister instructed Ghana’s embassies in the Middle East to take urgent steps to ensure the safety of Dr Bawumia, his wife and members of their delegation.

Embassy officials reportedly collaborated with authorities in the host country to arrange a swift and discreet departure. While specific operational details have not been disclosed for security reasons, officials described the evacuation as seamless and carefully coordinated.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it is working continuously to protect all Ghanaian citizens living in or transiting through affected areas in the Middle East. Ghanaian embassies in the region remain on alert, offering consular services and emergency support where needed.

Escalating Middle East Crisis

The region is currently experiencing one of its most serious security crises in recent years, following heightened hostilities involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The conflict has expanded beyond traditional flashpoints, with missile strikes, drone attacks and military operations reported across multiple countries.

At the centre of the unrest is the 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis, which began on February 28, 2026, after coordinated strikes by the US and Israel targeting Iranian military facilities and leadership structures. Iran’s retaliatory actions have disrupted maritime activity through the Strait of Hormuz — a key global oil transit route that handles roughly 20 percent of the world’s crude oil shipments.

The ripple effects have included airspace closures in parts of the Gulf, interruptions to international travel and rising geopolitical uncertainty. The United Nations has warned that the intensifying conflict is worsening humanitarian conditions and complicating relief operations.

In response, Ghana has activated emergency response measures and recently evacuated diplomatic staff from Tehran and other high-risk areas as regional security concerns continue to mount.

The region is currently experiencing one of its most serious security crises in recent years, following heightened hostilities involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The conflict has expanded beyond traditional flashpoints, with missile strikes, drone attacks and military operations reported across multiple countries.

At the centre of the unrest is the 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis, which began on February 28, 2026, after coordinated strikes by the US and Israel targeting Iranian military facilities and leadership structures. Iran’s retaliatory actions have disrupted maritime activity through the Strait of Hormuz — a key global oil transit route that handles roughly 20 percent of the world’s crude oil shipments.

The ripple effects have included airspace closures in parts of the Gulf, interruptions to international travel and rising geopolitical uncertainty. The United Nations has warned that the intensifying conflict is worsening humanitarian conditions and complicating relief operations.

In response, Ghana has activated emergency response measures and recently evacuated diplomatic staff from Tehran and other high-risk areas as regional security concerns continue to mount.