The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) says the business community is concerned about a possible slowdown in demand for their goods and services if the disturbing situation with COVID-19 in the country is not managed effectively.
Between May and June of last year, at the height of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), in collaboration with UNDP and the World Bank, conducted the COVID-19 Business Tracker survey which revealed among other things that 35.7 percent of business establishments had to close during the partial lockdown, with 16.1 percent continuing to be closed after the easing of the lockdown.
Speaking to Citi Business News about the current situation, the CEO of the AGI, Seth Twum-Akwaboah, said all steps must be taken to halt a spike in COVID-19 cases in the country.
“We are deeply concerned about what is going on. Because if you recall last year when we had the lockdown, it really affected businesses. And therefore when we had a bit of improvement getting to the end of the year we were really happy about that as we thought things were coming back to normal.”
“And therefore starting the year and hearing these case increases, it is of concern to us, because if it continues like this it means there is a possibility for another lockdown and even if there is no lockdown, people become so careful and the kind of events and activities that generate the demand will not be there thereby affecting the patronage of the goods and services our members are producing.”