Statistical Service begins survey on impact of COVID-19

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank (WB), has started a survey to track the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on businesses and households across the country.

The survey, dubbed: “Local economy tracker”, will research into the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals, households, localities and the national economy.

The survey, which started last Thursday, is expected to be completed on June 20, 2020.

It is the second to be conducted by the three institutions since the pandemic broke out.

Unlike the first survey, which was basically online, the current one will involve the establishment of call centres nationwide.

In an interview, a communications analyst at the UNDP, Mrs Praise Nutakor, said the first survey did not record the desired results because it was conducted online.

“So the difference between the first and the second survey is the scope and methodology. This time around, we want to reach out and cover all businesses in the country,” she said.

Statement

The three institutions said in a joint press release that the household and the job tracker surveys were the other two surveys to be conducted to gather data on the preparedness and resilience of local economies to withstand the shock brought about by the pandemic.

“The local economy tracker is a nationally representative sample survey which involves focus group discussions, made up of opinion leaders. The outcome will enable the government and development partners to come up with measures to alleviate the impact of the disease on individuals, households and localities,” they added.

Significance

The Government Statistician, Professor Samuel Kobina Annim, said results from the survey would inform policy directions aimed at supporting extremely poor and vulnerable households and also safeguard the progress of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to the GSS, information provided by individuals, households and localities would be treated confidentially and not be disclosed to any person or entity in any form.

Also, it said data collection did not require the payment of money, and that under no circumstance should anyone be required to pay any amount to any person.

It called on the public to cooperate by giving out accurate information, while the media must also assist by giving coverage to ensure the success of the exercise.

COVID-19 challenges

The outbreak of COVID-19 has forced businesses to either halt or downsize their operations globally.

With the number of confirmed cases rising by the day in Ghana, businesses are being forced to equally put in place measures that will ensure that the impact is minimised.

Some economists have proposed that the government provide stimulus packages to ease the burden on businesses, a move which has started for some sectors of the economy, especially small and medium enterprises.