Page 59 - AFAP Success Stories 2020

Impacts of COVID-19 along

the agricultural value chain in

Ghana

The global pandemic, COVID-19 has become a household name with countries in all parts of the
world recording increasing cases of the virus. The current confirmed cases in Ghana as at 17th
May 2020 have risen to 5,735 with the percentage of males infected being 62% and percentage of
females being 38% (https://www.ghanahealthservice.org/covid19/). Out of the 16 regions in Ghana,
13 regions have people testing positive while the rest of the three regions, Bono East, Savannah
and Ahafo are all yet to report any case. It is not surprising that as Ghana continues to record more
cases of COVID-19 in the short term, it will need to prepare itself challenges over the long term as
well.

As the virus continues spread throughout the country, these farmers and AgriSMEs in the country. Additionally,
various sectors of the economy such as agriculture, accessing labour for the production, processing and
services and industry have been affected. Farmers, retailers transportation of food products is vital to the food,
and processors along the agricultural value chain have beverage and agricultural industry’s ability to maintain an
also been negatively affected. Social distancing, partial adequate food supply for Ghana. Although no significant
lockdown and a restriction on movements have resulted labour shortages have been reported to date as a result
in the closure of some market centres throughout the of COVID-19, this may well change in the near future as
country. Some of the impacts of the pandemic may not migrants who initially travelled to city centre for jobs might
be fully realised currently but the trends show that the be forced to move back to their villages and families.
agricultural sector will be adversely affected in the near
future. Field monitoring and interactions with farmers According to Maximo Torero Cullen, chief economist at the
and AgriSMEs, indicate that should there not be strategic United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),
investments in, and targeted support for, the agriculture “a protracted pandemic crisis could quickly put a strain
sector, there will be a shortfall in food production, which on the food supply chains, a complex web of interactions
will threaten the country’s food security. The food- involving farmers, agricultural inputs, processing plants,
processing sector will also be affected; the implication is a shipping, retailers and more”.
reduction in the economic power and living standards of

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