Lockdown and Its Economic Impact on Ghanaians

 In developing countries like Ghana, one of the most crucial challenges faced by majority of its citizens is low per capita income. Quite a number of its working citizens find themselves in the term “hand to mouth” (consume what earned) especially those with the menial jobs.

 On Friday, March 27, 2020, the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo imposed a restriction on the movement of persons in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, Kumasi Metropolitan Area and contagious Districts for a period of two weeks (14 days) which was subject to review due to the rapid increasing rate in the spread of the novel coronavirus. This meant that everyone residing in these areas had to stay at home for two weeks with the exception of frontline workers like health practitioners, military and policemen, media personnel, among other stakeholders. But essential movements such as going out for food, water, medicine, banking transactions or public transactions were tolerated.

As a result of the rapid continuous increase in the spread of the disease, the President later on reviewed the lockdown restriction adding an additional week to the two weeks partial lockdown which started from Monday, April 13 and ended on Sunday, April 19, 2020.

 So the question is; What has been the economic impact of the partial lockdown on Ghanaians so far?

 Traders started complaining about the reduction in the purchasing of goods since the street was so quiet. Some of them had to throw away some of their stuffs such as: tomatoes, pepper, yam, garden eggs etc. since they got spoilt because people weren’t purchasing them. Most of them started protesting saying they knew the lockdown was needed to curb the spread of the virus but were not in position to survive it. This led to a great fall in their businesses and left them nothing to feed on.

 

Trotro and taxi drivers who make income on a daily basis have also been greatly affected. Some said when they go to work, they come back home with empty vehicles so it is better they stay at home. This became a difficult period for them to deal with because they have a family to feed.

 Many businesses have also been greatly affected as a result of the lockdown. Most stores, restaurants and hotels went to a total close and this really costed them a lot because that is their major source of income.

 Taking into consideration, many people, especially people in the deprived areas of Greater Accra and Kumasi and the non-working populace has also been greatly affected due to the imposition of the lockdown.

 Some said if the lockdown had continued, it would have been a disaster so they were relieved to get back to work since the imposition of the lockdown has been lifted.


 Photo Source:
Photo 1 Voice of America
            2 GhanaWeb