Health professionals, including Ghana Medical Association, economists, Trade Union Congress (TUC), among other professionals have called on government to issue a nationwide lock down to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
According to these stakeholders, the total lockdown will be in the best interest of Ghanaians as there are inadequate health facilities to tackle the virus which is fast spreading.
These calls for a total lockdown means that people must stay in their homes till further notice in a bid to protect themselves from contracting the virus whiles government embarks on an intensive disinfection exercise in the country, among other pragmatic measures to bring the situation under control.
Panic buying hits Accra
Over the weekend, people rushed to various markets to buy foodstuffs in bulk to stock up in anticipation of the projected lockdown.
Some people, on the other hand, are calling on the authorities to be mindful of their actions as a greater percentage of the population would be largely affected since majority of Ghanaians find it difficult to even provide a three-square meal.
Complaints
People have complained that only the rich few in society have so far been able to buy goods whiles the ‘poor’ are still hungry. How then do they survive when the country is in a total lockdown? they quizzed.
Is government making provisions to distribute food essentials and toiletries to Ghanaians to face this crisis?
Coronavirus has exposed our local manufacturing industry – GUTA
In light of this, President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Dr. Joseph Obeng has said the coronavirus has badly exposed the Ghanaian economy as it is a heavily dependent on other countries for survival.
He also projected that by May, there will be a shortage of goods in the country. This, when it happens will have a dire consequence on ordinary Ghanaians.
Use of public toilets and bathrooms
Many of these people are homeless; sleeping in front of shops and kiosks as shelter. They also resort to the use of public toilets and open defecation to attend to nature’s call.
Per a report by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), 91% of homes in Accra are without toilet facilities whiles 79 houses in the percentage use pit latrines.
On the issue of bathrooms, how do people self-isolate when they share the bathroom with over 10 people in a compound house? This decision of lockdown people believe is not the best for the country though it is acknowledged the virus is fast spreading.
Use of trotro and taxis
Most of the Ghanaian populace use commercial vehicle, popularly known as trotro to and from work. Now, when the country is in a lockdown, trotro drivers who make income on a daily basis are going to largely affected.
How then do they make ends meet to feed themselves and their families as well as stock their homes with foodstuff to feed should the nation be in a lock down?
Traders and businessmen
Most of the Ghanaian populace are into petty trading. From consumables to non-consumables to the provision of services to the working class. Those who provide the service to others are mostly people who have come from all walks of lives to Accra to seek greener pastures. Popularly known as Kayayei, they have no ‘proper’ homes to lay their heads at night, hence, resorting to sleep in the open.
The Ghanaian economy has so far been hit hard by this global pandemic, making every business come to a standstill.
When there is a total lockdown, petty traders are going to suffer the most as no one will patronize their goods. Where will these people get money from to survive when there’s a lockdown?
Giving feedback to persons calling for the lockdown, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a meeting with TUC Thursday said: “People in Ghana are now talking about a lockdown. Majority of people of our country – the ordinary people in Ghana.
They are the ones who will be affected and it is important for us to take into account the circumstances and conditions. When we lockdown Accra, what are the consequences? A responsible government is required to look at all the implications before decisions are made. And that is the exercise we are currently engaged in, and I am hoping that much sooner than later and we will come to an agreement on what those measures are and the Ghanaian people will be informed.”
To save the lives of the poor, President Akufo-Addo has noted there would not be a lock down for now.
File photo of head potters, popularly known as Kayayei