The novel corona virus outbreak has the world running scared, everyone is shaken. Africans thought, finally! Here is something they cannot blame us for! Ghanaians prayed that it would pass Ghana by, after all, Ebola knew not to come near us.
On 12th March, 2020 the fire that burned seemingly in a distant place was in our backyards. Ghana confirmed 2 cases of COVID19. In a little over a week, this number rose to 21 with one unfortunate demise. In the wake of the first cases, the happenings in the country have been nothing short of interesting.
The first thing that took Ghana by storm was the sudden shortage and price hikes in hand sanitizers and rubbing alcohol. Where some lost, others have gained. On one hand, pharmaceuticals and manufacturers of sanitizers and PPEs (personal protective equipment), have seen the sharpest rise in demand for their products ever. On the other hand, directives instituted by the president have put restrictions on social and religious gatherings, making for massive economic losses.
Cleaning agents are not the only commodities now highly priced. Many Ghanaians are crying to the government to intervene on businesses who are ‘cashing in’ on the current semi-lockdown situation. A bucket of garden eggs which normally costs 8 cedis is now selling at 15 cedis. This is the case in several markets where the price of foodstuffs have doubled or tripped: ‘COVID19 pricing’. Some say it is simple economics of supply and demand, since most people are stocking up in preparedness for a complete lock-down. Others attribute it to a deeply corrupt and insensitive nature that is being made manifest in these perilous times. The question of who is right is anyone’s guess.
Should the government intervene? Maybe yes, maybe no. A more pertinent question would be: can the government intervene? Ghana’s economic structure is largely informal and liberal, so how much commodities should sell is almost always the prerogative of the seller. Unfortunately, the fact still remains that income levels between last week and this week have not changed at all. What is the ordinary Ghanaian to do who lives from hand to mouth? God willing, we will live to see how this end.
In the mean time remember: frequent handing washing with soap and running water, intermittent alcohol-based sanitizing, disinfection of surfaces, and avoidance of touching one’s face.
Eat well and get good rest. Above all, keep your social distance. Protect others by taking care of yourself.
May God have mercy on us all.
Abigail Ashun-Sarpy
A consultant
abbysarpy@gmail.com
