Kwesi Pratt Jnr. Accuses Zelenskyy of Exploiting Ghana’s Foreign Policy

• Kwesi Pratt Jnr. criticizes Zelenskyy’s engagement with Ghana.
• Allegations arise about Zelenskyy’s intent to export conflict to Ghana.
• Pratt warns against financing Ukraine’s drone production during economic hardship.
• Concerns over Ghana’s border security and regional diplomatic trust.
• Media’s role questioned amid claims from the Ukrainian Embassy.

Zelenskyy accused of undermining Ghana’s Non-Aligned policy

In an intriguing article penned in The Insight newspaper on July 17, 2025, prominent journalist and Pan-African advocate Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has raised concerns regarding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s intentions toward Ghana’s foreign policy. Pratt claims that Zelenskyy is attempting to export destabilization to Ghana, undermining the legacy of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. The stakes of these allegations are high and may pose significant implications for Ghana’s diplomatic standing as a nation that has historically championed a Non-Aligned stance in international relations.

Concern over possible political manipulation from Ukraine

Pratt’s critique centers on a recent call made by Zelenskyy to former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama. He suggests that the conversation aimed to manipulate Ghana’s diplomatic stance amid ongoing conflicts involving Ukraine and Israel. Notably, Mahama has maintained a position favoring negotiations and ceasefires rather than military alliances, making him a less desirable ally for Zelenskyy compared to former President Nana Akufo-Addo, who had openly supported Ukraine. This, according to Pratt, raises ethical concerns about Zelenskyy’s motivations and intentions, as he seems to be assessing how to use Ghana in his geopolitical strategy.

Economic burden versus foreign military partnerships

Further compounding the issue is the apparent endorsement of Zelenskyy’s narrative by the Ukrainian Embassy in Accra. They shared Zelenskyy’s perspectives about Ghana’s potential cooperation in drone production which Pratt vehemently argues is unreasonable given Ghana’s significant economic distress. The country currently grapples with a staggering debt crisis and austerity measures that recently included the cancellation of petrol allowances for political appointees. The journalist thundered that it defies logic for Ghana, in such dire straits, to be financing a foreign country’s military capabilities, especially in light of its own pressing economic challenges.

Potential risks to Ghana’s diplomatic relationships

Moreover, Pratt expressed grave concerns over claims involving border security assistance to Ghana, questioning from whom exactly Ghana needs protection. The narrative that Ukrainian support could aid in securing Ghanaian borders raises eyebrows, particularly given the nature of threats facing its neighbors. This move may also have adverse repercussions for Ghana’s relationships within the West African region, where leaders from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger might view such collaborations with skepticism. He remarked that allowing Ukrainian security forces to operate within Ghanaian territory could jeopardize trust among neighboring states, which should be a priority for any Ghanaian administration.

Concerns over media responsibility and foreign influence

Critically, Mr. Pratt has highlighted what he perceives as a media failure to adequately question or fact-check the claims made by Zelenskyy and echoed by certain Ghanaian news outlets. He articulated worries that this oversight might indicate a troubling trend of foreign influence on Ghana’s press. He called for vigilance against such meddling in order to preserve the Non-Aligned principles that have historically protected Ghana’s sovereignty. The implications of these events are still unfolding, but they signal a pressing need for Ghana’s media and government to remain critically engaged and cautious of narratives that may not serve the nation’s best interests.

Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has voiced serious allegations against President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding an attempt to exploit Ghana’s diplomatic policy for Ukraine’s advantage. His warnings highlight risks to Ghana’s relationships in West Africa and the economic implications of proposed Ukrainian partnerships. With an urgent call for media accountability and vigilance against external influences, the ongoing developments necessitate close observation as Ghana navigates these complex issues.