Confirmed: Covid-19 and Russia-Ukraine War ravaged Ghanaian Economy – AU Envoy

Head of Peace and Security Cluster of The Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union (AU ECOSOCC), Dr. Jonathan Sandy, has upheld governments assertion that the ailing state of the Ghanaian economy is attributable to the ravaging effects of COVID-19 and the Russian Ukraine war and not mismanagement.

Though critics of the Akufo-Addo government remain unrepentant about the effect of the Global Health Crises of COVID-19 on the fortunes of the Ghanaian economy, Dr. Sandy, speaking at a 2-day symposium for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and other relevant stakeholders on the Nexus of Peace and Security, Climate Security and Migration in Accra, insisted that the Ghanaian economy before the health crises was a proud example in the West African Sub-Region. He noted that both COVID-19 and the Russia Ukraine war had a devastating effect on various African economies leading to high cost of living within the regions of African Union (AU).

“Ghana’s economy was one of the best and we were very proud of in West Africa, however, suddenly after the COVID-19, other factors and the Russia-Ukraine war, so the growth factor has been adversely affected,” he noted.

Dr. Sandy, also admitted that, the growth rate of Africa as projected by the Africa Development Bank and World Bank before the global health crises of Covid-19, was over 6% and therefore the resultant effect of COVID-19 has led to economic meltdown of many African economies bringing untoward hardship on their citizens. He admonished participants to deliberate on innovative ways of turning around the economies of these African countries to enforce growth and development.

The event which was in collaboration with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and other key stakeholders, seeks to enhance the participation of African Civil Society within the framework crucial for implementing a long-term development, peacebuilding, adaptation and disaster risk reduction policies in affected communities.

After the 2-day engagement, the participants made relevant recommendations consolidating perspectives and expertise from relevant participants on the challenges of Climate Change and Migration. They also developed recommendations and solutions to Climate-induced migration across the African continent.

In his Closing remarks, Head of Secretariat of the ECOSOCC, William Carew, expressed satisfaction with the active engagement of the participants in bringing insight, concerns and recommendations that are vital for a pragmatic approach to issues of Peace, Climate Change and Migration.

He encouraged the participants to continue to build synergies with other CSOs and ECOSOCC to comprehensively deal with the issues raised on Climate-induced migration at the grassroot and national levels.

Mr. Carew further revealed that the recommendations made by the participants will serve as a road map for curtailing Climate induced Migration and therefore assured of ECOSOCC commitment to making history together with all relevant stakeholders.

By Jeorge Wilson Kingson and Derrick Botsyoe