The Head of Corporate Communications at the Minerals Commission, Dela Edem, has stated that the current government will not attribute any rise in food prices to the ongoing tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Speaking on Nnawotwe Yi on Adom TV, Mr Edem said that although the conflict may have some impact on global fuel prices, the government will not use it as an excuse for increases in food prices in the country.
He explained that despite the ongoing Russia–Ukraine War, the government was still able to abolish taxes such as the E-Levy, the COVID-19 levy and the betting tax, demonstrating its commitment to easing the burden on Ghanaians.
Mr Edem expressed confidence that the Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, would not attribute rising food prices to the tensions in the Middle East, unlike what he described as the approach of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration during its time in office, when increases in the cost of goods were often linked to the Russia–Ukraine war and the COVID-19 pandemic.
He further noted that several domestic factors contribute to high food prices, including poor road infrastructure that affects the transportation of food from farms to markets.
According to him, improving road networks would reduce transportation and production costs, which would ultimately help stabilise food prices.
Mr Edem added that the government is aware of the current global developments and is putting measures in place to mitigate any potential impact the US–Israel tensions with Iran may have on the Ghanaian economy.
However, he stressed that the government will not blame the conflict for any increase in food prices.
