By: Sarah Baafi
The Member of Parliament for Binduri, Issifu Mahmoud, has defended the reported evacuation of Ghana’s former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and his wife from Qatar, insisting that the move falls within the constitutional mandate of Ghana’s foreign service.
Speaking on GTV Breakfast Show on Thursday, March 5, 2026, Mr. Mahmoud argued that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a legal obligation to provide consular protection to Ghanaian citizens abroad, particularly in times of crisis.
According to him, the provision of such assistance should not be politicized, noting that the ministry’s actions are guided by the Constitution.
Mr. Mahmoud referenced 1992 Constitution of Ghana, specifically Article 14, which he said underpins Ghana’s foreign policy principles and obliges the state to protect its citizens wherever they may be.
He explained that the evacuation efforts were not limited to the former Vice President alone, adding that Ghanaian diplomats had also taken steps to evacuate other citizens from Tehran, the capital of Iran, where tensions from ongoing conflict had heightened security concerns.
“We are told that our consular staff have evacuated Ghanaians who were in Tehran, where they suffered the worst form of the conflict under the war,” he stated.
Mr. Mahmoud further noted that although details about other evacuees may not be widely publicized due to their lack of political prominence, the Foreign Affairs Ministry had nonetheless acted within its mandate to ensure their safety.
He stressed that consular protection is a standard diplomatic practice and should be understood as part of Ghana’s responsibility to safeguard its citizens abroad.
The Binduri MP therefore urged the public to appreciate the work of Ghana’s diplomatic service and avoid mischaracterizing routine consular interventions involving high-profile individuals.
