The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, has rejected claims by the Minority that he has admitted COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war negatively impacted Ghana’s economy.

In a lengthy Facebook post, the minister sought to correct what he called an erroneous impression that he was echoing the former government’s justification for the country’s struggling economy.

He emphasised that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has never claimed that the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war did not affect the global economy, including Ghana.

“I hear our incompetent and corruption-infested friends in the Micro Minority are saying that I admitted in my speech in Geneva that COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war had been the cause of the economic challenges we faced in Ghana under their watch, in an attempt to justify how grossly incompetent they managed the economy of Ghana. I do not know whether I should cry or laugh. Even in their attempt to lie, they demonstrate crass incompetence."

“For emphasis, I want to be very clear, we have never said that those two incidents never had an effect on the global economy and that of Ghana. What we refused to accept was their desperate attempt to blame the entirety of the mess they created on COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war,” a portion of the post read.

He clarified that their position was always contextual, comparing Ghana’s economic performance with neighbouring countries in the sub-region to highlight how poorly the country was managed during the crisis.

“And we did so, pointing to other countries, particularly our neighbours, who faced similar challenges yet managed their economies far better than they did."

“Perhaps, the current trade war between America, China, and Europe, which I referred to, was also there. These dudes are not learning at all.”

Murtala Mohammed’s reaction follows earlier statements he made about the ongoing trade war between the United States and its partners, noting that it poses economic challenges to countries including Ghana.

In a speech delivered at an event in Geneva on Monday, April 7, 2025 the minister noted that when two elephants fight, it is the grasshopper that suffers.

He acknowledged the widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all nations, including Ghana, “The recent global challenges, such as the Russian-Ukrainian war and the unfortunate trade wars, which started as suspicion but have become our reality and taking into consideration the popular saying in Ghana that when two elephants fight, it is the grasshopper that suffers, so, we do know the challenges that will be confronting us,” he said.

Despite these challenges, he assured that Ghana is making significant strides by leveraging science, technology, and innovation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“The broader effects of the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be lost on any country, including Ghana. Despite these global challenges, Ghana has devised several plans and strategies towards achieving the SDGs, leveraging science, technology, and innovation,” Murtala Mohammed stated.

Read his Facebook post below:

Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Hon. Murtala Mohammed, has attributed Ghana’s economic challenges to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, suggesting that global economic disruptions caused by the conflict have had a negative impact on Ghana's economy. pic.twitter.com/jDDCtqXcab

— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) April 8, 2025