Israel disappointed Ghana boycotted IAEA vote on Iran’s nuclear activities

Israel disappointed Ghana abstained from IAEA voting on Iran’s non-compliance with nuclear obligations

In what many observers have described as a pivotal moment in the ongoing global standoff over Iran’s nuclear program, Ghana’s decision to abstain from a key vote at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has drawn strong disappointment from Israel, a close diplomatic partner of the West African country.

A significant step in a longstanding global concern

On Thursday, June 12, 2025, the 35-nation Board of Governors of the IAEA passed a resolution declaring Iran in non-compliance with its safeguards obligations—marking the first such declaration in nearly two decades. The resolution cited Iran’s failure to cooperate fully with the agency regarding undeclared nuclear material and suspicious activities across multiple sites.

The motion, which may pave the way for Iran to be reported to the United Nations Security Council, was supported by 19 countries. Eleven—including Ghana—abstained, while three nations (Russia, China, and Burkina Faso) voted against it.

This development comes against the backdrop of renewed global anxiety over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, especially since the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal following the United States’ withdrawal under former President Donald Trump in 2018.

Israel’s clear stance—and deep disappointment

In the wake of the vote, the State of Israel, which has consistently viewed Iran’s nuclear ambitions as an existential threat, voiced its displeasure with Ghana’s neutral position.

Speaking to local media in Accra, Israel’s Ambassador to Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, Mr. Roey Gilad, did not mince words:
“We’ve lobbied Ghana very strongly to support the resolution, yet Ghana abstained,” he said. “We thought this was one place where Ghana could express its support for Israel… It did not happen, and we’re disappointed.”

Ambassador Gilad expressed that Iran’s nuclear ambitions are not just a regional issue but a threat to global security, and he had hoped that Ghana would take a definitive stand—breaking away from its traditional non-aligned posture.

Ghana’s position explained—and questioned

Ghana currently chairs the IAEA Board of Governors, and as is customary for the chair, it abstained from voting. But Israel argues that the gravity of this particular situation warranted a departure from diplomatic tradition.

“The formal reason is that Ghana is the chair of the board of the IAEA,” Gilad acknowledged, “but we felt this is something so crucial to Israel, something that concerns our very existence. A state like Iran, which calls for the destruction of Israel, is a matter of global significance.”

Despite Israel’s disappointment, the ambassador reiterated his respect for Ghana’s sovereign decision-making. Still, he used the occasion to urge a broader conversation about the relevance of Ghana’s non-aligned foreign policy in today’s geopolitical climate.

“I humbly say, with full respect to Ghana’s Foreign Ministry, that maybe the policy of non-alignment—since 1957 under Nkrumah—should be re-evaluated,” he said. “We do it in Israel day in and day out. Rethinking policy is healthy.”

Diplomacy endures amid divergence

Despite the disagreement, Ambassador Gilad was quick to clarify that the issue would not harm the strong bilateral ties between Ghana and Israel. “This is not going to cast a heavy shadow on our relations,” he assured. “We will continue to dialogue.”

He emphasized the maturity and stability of the relationship between the two nations and expressed confidence that any disagreements could be resolved through direct diplomatic engagement.

“If we don’t discuss these matters, then the relationship is not mature. Since I consider Ghana to be mature and stable, I think, as grown-up people, we can address it with the government,” he said.

The bigger picture: IAEA’s role and Iran’s future

The IAEA, established in 1957 as a UN specialized agency, plays a crucial role in monitoring nuclear compliance worldwide. Its work is foundational in ensuring that nuclear technologies are used for peaceful purposes—such as medicine, energy, and agriculture—rather than weapons development.

With this latest resolution, the global nuclear watchdog is once again at the center of international diplomacy, with Iran’s future actions under intense scrutiny. And as nations like Ghana navigate complex alliances and global expectations, moments like these reveal the intricate balancing act required in modern international relations.

For Israel, the abstention represents a missed opportunity for solidarity. For Ghana, it is a reaffirmation of its long-held foreign policy stance. And for the global community, it’s a reminder that the fight against nuclear proliferation remains a high-stakes endeavor with no simple answers.