Veteran journalist and Managing Editor of The Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has sharply criticised Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Roey Gilad, over remarks the envoy made following Ghana’s abstention in a vote on Iran’s nuclear compliance at a recent International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting in Vienna.
Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana on June 18, 2025, Pratt condemned what he called the ambassador’s "effrontery" in questioning Ghana’s foreign policy decisions, accusing him of overstepping diplomatic boundaries.
“The arrogance of Israel and its officials is sickening. The Israeli ambassador is teaching our government how to behave in international relations? Who is he to decide what serves Ghana’s interests?” Pratt asked.
According to Pratt, Gilad’s suggestion that Ghana reconsider its traditional alignment with the African Union (AU), Non-Aligned Movement, and Arab League is a clear violation of the country’s sovereignty.
“This is a direct insult to Ghana. He claims our government isn't acting in Ghana’s interest—who gave him the authority to make that judgment? These decisions are for the Ghanaian people,” he added.
Pratt argued that such interference would not have been tolerated under leaders like Kwame Nkrumah, General Acheampong, or Jerry John Rawlings.
“This could never have happened under Nkrumah, Acheampong, or Rawlings. Our government must show strength and protect our sovereignty,” he said.
Calling for immediate diplomatic action, Pratt urged the government to respond firmly to what he described as disrespectful conduct.
“I want to see this government act to uphold our national dignity. Let these diplomats understand that our leaders derive their authority from the Ghanaian people—not from foreign envoys,” he declared.
The controversy was sparked by Ambassador Gilad’s comments at a recent breakfast meeting with editors, where he expressed disappointment over Ghana’s abstention from the IAEA vote on Iran’s nuclear programme. Gilad questioned whether the abstention served Ghana’s best interests, despite acknowledging Ghana’s sovereignty and non-aligned position.
“Even though Israel respects Ghana’s sovereignty and non-aligned stance, I don’t know whether this \[abstention] serves Ghana’s best interest,” Gilad stated.
He highlighted Israel’s ongoing support to Ghana in areas like agriculture and noted the friendly ties between the two nations—pointing to symbols such as Israeli flags on fishing canoes and the popularity of Israeli goods in markets like Makola.
However, Pratt dismissed these gestures, arguing that such symbolism does not justify foreign interference, and launched a scathing rebuke in defence of Ghana’s right to chart its own foreign policy path.
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