Why Ghana Must Support Diplomacy in the U.S.–Iran Tensions

Your Excellency,

As tensions between the United States and Iran continue to simmer with warships positioned in the Gulf, indirect talks in Oman delicately unfolding, and warnings issued from both sides, I write with concern for Ghana’s national interest.

If I may, Ghana may be geographically distant from the Persian Gulf, but we are not economically insulated from its instability. A single miscalculation in that region could trigger consequences that reverberate directly through our economy and into the daily lives of our citizens.

The Strait of Hormuz remains the world’s most strategic oil chokepoint; nearly one-fifth of global petroleum supply transits that narrow passage each day. Any disruption whether by blockade, confrontation, or unintended escalation would almost certainly push global oil prices upward.

For Ghana, this is not abstract speculation. Our economy depends significantly on imported refined petroleum. A sharp increase in global prices would translate quickly into higher fuel costs domestically. Transport fares would rise. Food prices would follow. Inflationary pressures carefully managed in recent years could intensify once again. Businesses would face increased operational costs, investor confidence could weaken, and household purchasing power would erode.

Your Excellency, Israel’s security concerns are genuine and must be acknowledged. Recognizing this strengthens Ghana’s credibility as a balanced and principled voice. At the same time, the present international posture marked by American naval deployments, Iranian warnings of retaliation, and cautious diplomatic engagement remains precariously balanced.

If I may observe, President Trump has indicated openness to a negotiated framework centered on Iran’s nuclear programme. Iranian officials, in turn, have described the recent Oman discussions as constructive. While mistrust remains high, a diplomatic window however narrow still exists.

If your authority permits me, I respectfully submit that Ghana should lend its voice to preserving that diplomatic path. Through the African Union, the United Nations, and appropriate bilateral channels, Ghana can advocate restraint, dialogue, and multilateral mediation.

Such engagement would not constitute interference; rather, it would reflect responsible global citizenship firmly grounded in our national interest.

Ghana has long upheld a foreign policy tradition anchored in non-alignment, peaceful coexistence, and principled diplomacy. At moments of global tension, our voice has carried weight precisely because it has been measured and consistent. Supporting dialogue over confrontation would align fully with your stated vision of partnerships built on shared responsibility and mutual respect.

The alternative is sobering. Escalation in the Gulf would not only destabilize global markets but could also strain developing economies disproportionately.

For Ghana, the ripple effects could slow economic growth, complicate fiscal planning, and undermine hard-won stability.

If I may conclude, Ghana’s advocacy for restraint would not be idealism detached from reality. It would be strategic realism. It would protect our economic stability, shield vulnerable households from imported hardship, and reinforce our standing as a thoughtful and principled actor in international affairs.

Leadership is often tested not only by domestic challenges but by how nations respond to external tremors. By affirming support for diplomacy at this delicate juncture, Ghana can help preserve stability where confrontation threatens to prevail.

Seth Kwame Awuku is a Ghanaian writer and political analyst specializing in law, governance, diplomacy, and foreign policy.

By Seth Kwame Awuku

 

 

For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z

 

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Chronicle’s stance.

The post Why Ghana Must Support Diplomacy in the U.S.–Iran Tensions appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

Read Full Story