Comparing Russia-Ukraine and US-Iran conflicts is 'illiteracy' – Kwesi Pratt Jnr

The Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has cautioned against drawing simplistic comparisons between the Russia-Ukraine War and the escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.

He described such comparisons as “pedestrian and completely illiterate.”'

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Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana on March 11, 2026, Pratt noted that while global conflicts have ripple effects, the local context in Ghana should be carefully considered.

“First of all, let me say that we appear to be doing much, much better than the Europeans. Because for three days, there were long queues in European cities for petrol. In some places, the prices have gone up,” he said.

He added that the economic impact of conflicts should be evaluated honestly, pointing out that gains in gold prices could offset losses from rising energy costs.

“But you see, when we talk about the impact of this war, I think we should be honest with ourselves. There's a lot of dishonesty. What is the honesty?

“As the price of petroleum products or energy supplies goes up, the gold prices are also hitting the roof so we have to be honest about it. We can net off the gains in gold prices against the losses in fuel and cushion our people,” he explained.

Kwesi Pratt Jnr criticised analysts who attempt to equate the impact of different wars on the global economy.

“This whole equalising game; Ukraine-Russia, Israel-US against Iran, Why? I mean people can't think. The Strait of Hormuz is not in Europe. The effects are totally different. So, if I say that the war in Ukraine should not affect us in a certain way, it doesn't mean the war anywhere else will not affect us in the same way,” he said.

He further elaborated on the strategic significance of the Strait of Hormuz in West Asia, a key route for global oil supplies.

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“The Strait of Hormuz is only in West Asia, not in Europe or in Ukraine… There certainly will be an effect, but to think that the effect of the Russia-Ukraine War is the equivalent to the effect of the Israel-US war on Europe is to be illiterate, pedestrian and completely illiterate. One of the major factors is the passage through the Strait of Hormuz, which is not in Europe. It's nowhere near Ukraine. It's nowhere near Russia. So, how can you make this argument?” he asked.

MAG/AE

Did you know that there is a fort in Ghana that was not built for slavery? And did you know that it is in Elmina? Watch the story about Fort Jago here: