Abstract:
COVID-19 outbreak has had multidimensional effects on human lives. The impacts are expected to be more severe on poor households, especially in resource-constraint economies such as Ghana. The Country�has a higher poverty rate [24.2%] and this is likely to upsurge in the coming years due to this pandemic. We aimed to document the pandemic-related health and socioeconomic hazards in Ghana. A content analysis of relevant literature, and a qualitative survey using a socioecological lens were conducted. Based on the Ghana Living Standard Survey report (GLSS 7), twenty interviewees were recruited from 3 most poverty-stricken regions in the country to verify the findings of the content review. The findings indicate�a significant health burden�and a large-scale socioeconomic negative outcome among the Ghanaian poor households. The disproportionate health access by the poor and the rural inhabitants has and will continue to exacerbate. The social hazards are mainly circumscribed relating to poor economic conditions due to job losses, lack of access to income/savings, food insecurity, and lack of welfare support. At the national level, the economy is particularly vulnerable due to low levels of economic diversification. The ultimate manifestation of the pandemic impacts are higher risk of morbidity and mortality rates, and deteriorating wellbeing and livelihoods. These highlights are beneficial to policymakers, development partners, and human rights advocates to make collaborative efforts in helping the poor households during and the post-pandemic periods. � 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.
Description:
Asante, D., College of Medicine & Public Health, GPO BOX 852, Flinders University Rural Health SA, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5341, Australia; Twumasi, M.A., College of Economics, Sichuan Agricultural University, Huimin Road 211, Chengdu-Wenjiang, China; Sakyi, A.S.K., Kintampo Health Research Institute, Post Office Box, KP 173, Kintampo-B/A, Ghana; Gyamerah, S., School of Management and Economics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 2006, Xiyuan Ave, West Hi-Tech Zone, Chengdu, Sichuan 611731, China; Asante, B., School of Economics and Education, University of Education Winneba, PMB 25, Winneba, Ghana