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" . . We are directly affected by the Russia-Ukraine war," says Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawmia.

President Akufo-Addo while presenting his State of the Nation Address (SONA 2022) indicated that the Russia/Ukraine war has aggravated the impact of COVID-19 on the economy.

He said even though "the bombs might be dropping on cities half a world away but they are hitting our pockets here in Ghana".

"The terrible events in Ukraine have a direct impact on our lives here in Ghana. The bombs might be dropping on cities half a world away but they are hitting our pockets here in Ghana. Even so, we have managed to ensure that fuel supplies have not been disrupted, unlike in several other parts of the world," he said.

Backing the words of the President in a forum organised by TESCON in collaboration with the Danquah Institute at the Pentecost Conference Centre at the Millennium City in Kasoa in the Central Region, Thursday, 7 April 2022, Dr Bawumia bemoaned that even though the conflict has worsened the plight of Ghanaians, "unfortunately, we do not know when it will be over".

“The increase in commodity prices has been exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Russia and Ukraine together account for 30 percent of the global wheat export. The longer the conflict the greater will be the disruptions to global food supply. The conflict is also likely to slow global growth.

“According to the AfDB the price of wheat has shot up by 62 percent since the war began. The price of fertilizer is up by 300 percent, and the price of maize is up by 36 percent. Here in Ghana, 60 percent of our total imports of iron ore and steel are from Ukraine. Russia accounts for some 30 percent of Ghana’s imported grains, 50 percent of flour and 39 percent of fertilizer. So we are directly affected by the Russia-Ukraine war. Unfortunately, we do not know when it will be over,” he added.