Coronavirus impact: Shortages of goods to hit markets in Ghana?

March 16, 2020

Coronavirus impact – Businesses in Ghana are expected to take a huge blow following new measures announced by the government to contain the fast-spreading Coronavirus pandemic in the country.

This announcement by the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong,
follows four more cases recorded in the country making a total of 6 persons
infected with the global pandemic, coronavirus.

“Any traveller except for Ghanaian citizens and persons
with Ghana resident permits who within the last 14 days has been to a country
that has recorded at least 200 cases of COVID-19 will not be permitted in the
Ghanaian jurisdiction,” he stressed.

The government is also strongly advising against travel to
the West African country.

They have also instructed airlines not to allow persons from
coronavirus prone areas to enter the country.

Meanwhile, the government had earlier announced that it was
releasing an amount of $100 million to fight the coronavirus.

GUTA’s warning

Prior to this directive, traders have warned of possible Coronavirus impact of shortage of goods in Ghanaian markets should the disease outbreak prolong.

Few weeks ago, the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA)
predicted the country was going to be hit by a shortage of goods by May 2020
following the halting of production on the international market due to the
covid-19.

If this should indeed happen, the impact will be price hikes in goods as demand will exceed supply, creating an unfortunate situation of the “haves and the have nots”.

Ghana’s economy is largely import driven and so, wiith the ban on travels by the Government from countries that have recorded over 200 cases of the disease, GUTA’s warning of a possible famine appears to be coming to light.

Another Coronavirus being felt in the country is shortages in hand sanitizers and Paracetamol, two of the most essential goods recommended for the prevention and fighting of the coronavirus disease outbreak.

Prices of hand sanitizers have shot up exponentially, that
is from between GH₵1-8 to now selling between GH₵20-200.

Meanwhile, President of the country, H. E. Nana Akuffo-Addo, last night, in an address to the nation, suspended all public gatherings, including church services, schools, weddings, funerals, among others for the next four weeks.

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Source : African Media Agency (AMA)