The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) position on the ongoing tensions in Middle East politics is not new but is considered very unfortunate. In the past, the country experienced economic challenges due to reckless management and mismanagement of resources.
However, the reality within Ghana is that the government is not using the international conflict as an excuse for domestic economic conditions.
Honorable Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South and Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee in Parliament, made these remarks on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor FM 92.3, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra.
He stated that the government of John Dramani Mahama remains steadfast and capable of steering the economy to withstand global shocks. He dismissed claims that the NPP is hoping the Middle East tensions would negatively affect Ghana’s economy as “baseless and unfounded.”
“The country is in safe hands. All economic and physical projections are moving in the right direction, and the growth trajectory is positive,” he said.
Vanderpuije also emphasized the need for international collaboration. He urged the United Nations and other agencies to ensure the safety of Ghanaian officers serving on peace missions in the Gulf region. He expressed optimism that the government is actively appealing to the UN to take urgent action to protect all officers from potential attacks.
In a related perspective, Economist Dr. Adu Owusu Sarkodie has warned that Ghana’s heavy reliance on imports could threaten the country’s economic stability if the Middle East conflict escalates and continues for an extended period.
He noted that while global tensions could present opportunities for oil-producing countries like Ghana, the nation’s deep import dependence remains a significant vulnerability.
“The war in the Middle East is somewhat expected, but the war in Europe (Russia–Ukraine) was not,” he said.
Dr. Sarkodie highlighted potential benefits from rising global oil prices since Ghana exports crude oil. “If we maintain our export quantity, we stand a chance of generating more revenue than projected,” he explained. He suggested that additional revenue could be used to cushion vulnerable groups affected by global price shocks, particularly commercial drivers and transport operators who are usually the first to feel the impact of fuel price increases.
“Providing targeted support such as fuel coupons to trotro drivers, taxi drivers, and Uber drivers could help cushion them from potential negative effects,” he added.
Dr. Sarkodie observed that Ghana has not yet felt the full economic impact of Middle East tensions. “We are also hoping that the war does not escalate further. So far, so good—not in terms of the war, but in terms of its domestic impact, we haven’t felt much yet.”
However, he warned that prolonged conflicts, similar to the Russia–Ukraine war, could pose serious challenges. “If such a conflict lasts months or years, we would need to strengthen our economy significantly.”
He emphasized that economic strengthening must go beyond stability, focusing instead on building a productive base through agriculture, industrial production, and services.
Recalling the disruptions caused by the Russia–Ukraine war, Dr. Sarkodie noted how global supply chains were affected, including Ghana’s access to fertilizers and wheat. Consumer preferences for imported wheat, he explained, have hindered the development of local alternatives.
“The ongoing geopolitical tensions should encourage us to revisit domestic production and reduce dependency on imports,” he said. “Why should we depend on countries at war for essential products like fertilizers?”
While acknowledging that Ghana’s economy is still evolving, Dr. Sarkodie identified opportunities for expanding local production in sectors such as poultry, sugar, and other basic goods. “Our economy is young, but we can start producing small items locally to reduce import dependence,” he concluded.