The Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Roey Gilad has reassured the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government that agriculture, alongside cybersecurity and solar energy, will form the “backbone of partnership” between the two nations.
In an interview on with Citi News‘ Fred Duhoe on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, Gilad emphasised Israel’s commitment to working closely with Ghana’s President, John Mahama, to strengthen bilateral ties through productive collaboration.
However, the ambassador expressed dissatisfaction with the previous administration, led by Nana Akufo-Addo, citing what he perceived as negative international voting patterns and multilateral decisions by Ghana.
He noted that Ghana’s participation in UN Security Council decisions did not reflect the goodwill the two nations had enjoyed in the past.
He further emphasised “Israel is also very skilled in solar energy. You have abundant sunshine, and this can be harnessed to produce solar energy. All governments in the world are facing challenges from cyber threats, and that’s another area where we can cooperate.”
Adding “We will strive to remain relevant to the Republic of Ghana’s development efforts. Everyone knows the country is facing economic challenges. While Israel is not a superpower, we bring a lot of goodwill to the table.”
Israel-Gaza War and Ceasefire
Israel and Gaza have successfully reached a ceasefire agreement aimed at protecting lives and property, particularly safeguarding vulnerable children who have endured heavy bombardment over the past 15 months. The intense aggression on all fronts cost thousands of casualties and displaced hundreds of thousands.
Gilad acknowledged the surprise attack on 7 October 2023 and stated that life has not been the same since. He commended U.S. President Donald Trump for his efforts in facilitating the ceasefire but expressed dissatisfaction with the United Nations’ handling of the situation. While he welcomed the ceasefire, he noted that Israel would remain vigilant.
The ambassador highlighted the importance of the release of hostages, calling it a step toward an amicable settlement.
“I think the majority follow the Jewish command, which states that releasing prisoners is a good deed,” he said.
However, he criticised the celebration of released murderers in Gaza, calling it inappropriate.
He also said that Israeli public opinion is divided over the release of prisoners.
“There will be an investigative committee led by a Supreme Court judge, and the state will adopt its findings,” he said.
Ambassador Gilad acknowledged that the release of prisoners might pose military challenges in the West Bank, as past experiences suggest many prisoners often return to terrorism despite signing agreements not to do so.
Caution to Ghana
Ambassador Gilad urged Ghana to exercise caution regarding Iran. He stressed that Iran is not just an Israeli issue and called on Ghana’s new government to adopt a strict stance against Iran’s military activities. He encouraged Ghana to work towards compelling Iran to end its aggressive military engagements.
