Kaakyire Badu writes:

Donald Trump has threatened to wipe out Iran within hours. He said he will destroy Iran’s power plants and bridges, and even wipe out an entire civilization. But Tehran is not showing fear. Iranian officials are pushing back, and many people are asking if the U.S. is bluffing, and if Iran is ready to call that bluff. This situation raises two main questions.

First, if this is really about the Strait of Hormuz and Trump wants it open, and if he truly has the power to destroy bridges, power plants, or an entire country as he claims, why doesn’t he use that power on the Strait alone? Why threaten the whole nation instead of just taking control of that waterway so ships can pass? Does this mean Iran is so strong at the Strait of Hormuz that even American power cannot do anything there?

Second, Iran’s reaction is strange. When faced with threats to destroy power plants, bridges, and send the country back to the Stone Age, Tehran still looks calm. A country that is weaker militarily would usually try to back down. Iran is instead waiting to see what Trump will do. Is that confidence, a mistake, or are they hiding something?

Does Iran have some hidden power that can match or beat the U.S., and they are just staying quiet and playing weak while they wait? America has said Iran must not build nuclear weapons. Could it be that Iran has already built a nuclear weapon in secret—one that America does not know about—that can reach the U.S. and kill many people? Would that explain why they are not afraid?

Or could it be that other countries like Russia or China are secretly backing Iran? Are they promising to help Iran so it will not surrender? Something about this does not add up, and the whole world could be affected. Many people are now talking about World War III.

My own belief, based on the Bible, is that there will not be a real World War III. I believe God would step in before that happens. But things do look strange right now. It could also be that Bible prophecies are being fulfilled, and that God is hardening hearts like He did with Pharaoh. Pharaoh had a simple way to save Egypt and his family, but he could not obey, and disaster came on him and on Israel.

I think we should be concerned:

That may be the pattern we are seeing now.

The Minority in Parliament has intensified calls for the immediate removal of the GH₵1 fuel levy, warning that the policy is exacerbating the financial strain on Ghanaians already battling rising living costs.

Speaking to journalists in Parliament, the Deputy Ranking Member of the Energy Committee, Collins Adomako Mensah, described the continued imposition of the levy as unjustifiable and punitive.

“The justification for this levy no longer exists. Keeping it is not policy—it is punishment,” he stated, urging government to urgently repeal the Energy Sector Levy Amendment Act, 2025 under a certificate of urgency.

The renewed pressure from the Minority comes against the backdrop of escalating global tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, as well as disruptions to oil supply routes following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—developments that have triggered a sharp increase in fuel prices.

Energy analysts warn that crude oil prices could surge to between $110 and $120 per barrel if the conflict persists. This could drive petrol prices in Ghana to as high as GH₵15 to GH₵17 per litre.

As of the second pricing window in March 2026, diesel was retailing at GH₵15.60 per litre, while petrol prices had already crossed GH₵12.40 per litre.

Mr. Mensah noted that the GH₵1 levy was originally introduced to support liquid fuel procurement and address longstanding debts within the energy sector. However, he argued that the government has already met these obligations.

According to him, between January and December 2025, approximately $1.47 billion was spent to stabilise the sector, including the full repayment of the GH₵597 million World Bank partial risk guarantee and the settlement of outstanding gas supply invoices.

“With the debt addressed and guarantees restored, the so-called One Ghana Cedi Levy serves no purpose and should be repealed immediately,” he stressed.

He further revealed that the Minority will push for a broader review of taxes and levies embedded in fuel pricing, with the aim of identifying opportunities to ease the burden on consumers.

The caucus had earlier staged a walkout in protest against the levy, citing weak fiscal justification and poor timing. They now maintain that urgent government intervention is needed to shield households from worsening economic hardship driven by global oil market volatility.

Awal Mohammed, a member of the New Patriotic Party, has challenged the government’s portrayal of Ghana’s economic strength, questioning whether recent global events have exposed underlying vulnerabilities.

Speaking on the AM Show on JoyNews, Mohammed described it as contradictory for an economy deemed stable to be heavily affected by events occurring thousands of kilometres away. “An economy they say is doing so well has been hit hard by just two weeks of bombing 6,200 kilometres away,” he remarked.

He further alleged that gold reserves amassed under former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia have been largely depleted by the current administration, claiming the country now holds around 18 tonnes of gold, with some reserves reportedly converted into dollar holdings. This comes as the government continues to emphasize a 5.7-month import cover.

Mohammed argued that the administration is benefiting from reserves built by its predecessors, especially at a time when gold prices are performing strongly on the global market. “They are enjoying because someone left something behind, and today gold is doing well so they are benefiting from it,” he said.

He also pointed to perceived inconsistencies in political messaging. During the Russia–Ukraine conflict, he noted, the current government—then in opposition—minimized the potential impact of distant global conflicts on Ghana. Yet now, it attributes domestic economic challenges to tensions in the Middle East, including Israel–Iran developments.

“This shift raises questions about how economic difficulties are being communicated to the public,” Mohammed concluded.