Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Most people infected with the virus experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. There are, however, severe cases that cause death, especially for those with underlying health issues. The coronavirus outbreak remains a historical challenge, and the human race will forever remember this crisis.
What COVID-19 brought upon us
Reports reveal that COVID-19 has negatively impacted the socio-economic situation of the people of Ghana. Statistics show that Ghana recorded about 162,000 cases of COVID-19, with 160,105 recovering and 1,455 dying. The Ghana Health Service reported that 42,000 people in Ghana lost their jobs within the first two months of COVID-19.
The tourist attraction sector of the country alone lost close to 172 million dollars in the first three months due to the lockdown and closure of most tourist sites in Ghana. Many businesses collapsed, with the existing ones receiving fewer customers. The spread of Covid-19 brought about labour migrant issues, employment issues, closure of educational institutions, stress, and fear.
New rules and regulations like social distancing, avoidance of social gatherings, lockdown, and travel ban in Ghana resulted in fear, social stigma, depression, and confusion. Ghana was also listed as the fifth country in Africa with the highest report of coronavirus cases. Studies also show that Ghana Health Service was overwhelmed by the increasing number of COVID-19 cases and constructed temporary isolation structures to curb the spread.
The Aftermath of the Covid-19
Many countries are now revamping their economies after COVID-19 struck and collapsed many businesses. Ghana was overwhelmed with the impact and the things COVID-19 brought upon us. Resources meant for developmental projects were used to fight the coronavirus.
There is a high cost of living and hardship in Ghana now. Now the government of Ghana blames high living conditions in the country on COVID-19. With Russia invading their neighbouring country, Ukraine, the government of Ghana has added to its list of excuses for failing the citizens of Ghana.
What Should We Expect Now?
Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, in a press briefing in Accra, revealed that COVID-19 cases in Ghana have started increasing, with the active patients being 452. The high cost of living hardship in the country now has not been addressed with COVID-19 surging.
A survey showed that only 3.5 per cent of firms received government assistance. The ordinary Ghanaian is still struggling to cope with the hardship of COVID-19 on the economy of Ghana. With the current living conditions in the country, we need no soothsayer to predict the fate the Ghanaian citizen will face with COVID-19 cases rising again. For the sake of the dear people of Ghana, I hope that we the government and all other stakeholders do things differently.
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