The US ambassador to Ghana Virginia Palmer has blamed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the increasing food and fuel prices in the West African country.
The Russia-Ukraine war a year ago saw a dramatic rise in the price of fertilizer for importers like Ghana, where farmers are struggling to cope. Fertilizer prices have stabilised since last year’s spike but are still roughly double what they were a year before the invasion, too expensive for most Ghanaian farmers.
Ambassador Palmer said Ghana like other countries has adversely suffered since Putin invaded Ukraine.
“Russia’s horrifying violence has killed thousands and destroyed entire cities. Here in Ghana, Putin’s war has driven up prices for fertilizer, food, and fuel,” she said in a statement to mark one year (24 February) since the war began.
“Russia is losing on the battlefield and in desperation is attacking schools, hospitals, churches, apartment buildings, and critical infrastructure to exact the heaviest toll on civilians. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine did not start in 2022. This is a continuation of Russia’s illegal seizure of Crimea and parts of Luhansk and Donetsk in 2014.
Listen to ambassador Virginia Palmer in the attached audio clip below:
“With its leadership on the United Nations Security Council, Ghana condemned Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine,” Palmer added.
She said Russia is losing the war because the US and its allies are strongly backing Ukraine.
“Putin and his enablers believe that might makes right – but they are wrong. They are losing. Since last year, the U.S. has rallied allies and partners from around the world to stand strong with Ukraine. We cannot let a small country get stomped on by a larger neighbour.
“We are working to mitigate the economic pain and uncertainty. In December, President Biden announced an additional $2.5 billion in food security assistance for Africa, which builds upon over $11 billion in U.S. humanitarian and food security assistance. If Russia stops fighting and withdraws, the war ends. If Ukraine stops fighting, Ukraine ends.
“The American people have stood proudly with Ukraine. We stand for freedom. We stand for democracy. We stand against bullies. We are United with Ukraine,” Palmer added.
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