Executive Director of ILAPI,, Mr Peter Bismark Kwoffie
A Tema-based think tank – Institute for Liberty and Policy Innovation (ILAPI) says, the country would need in excess of GHc15 billion for a 28-day lockdown as some organisations including the Ghana Medical Association and the Trade Union Congress are proposing, as a means of curtailing the increasing rate of the corona virus infection I the country.
According to the Executive Director of ILAPI,, Mr Peter Bismark Kwoffie, the rate at which people are being confirmed positive to corona virus infection, is already sending chills along the spines of many people, hence the call for a lockdown of the country.
In an interview with Ahotor 92.3 fm news, Mr Kwoffie noted the huge negative effects the lockdown would visit on the people and the nation as a whole.
According to the CEO with a total lockdown, certain goods and services that people otherwise would buy and enjoy will be off limit as most they would not be able to afford due to demand and supply which would dictate higher prices.
Due to this, Ghanaians may now spend more money on other things, switching from saving to consumption, rather than save.
Making readily available a package is important for private sector planning of business sustainability and job security in this COVID-19 pandemic.
He said, government would then have to look at some critical areasicluding to internet connectivity, job losses, transport, fuel, tax and mortgage compliance, sustainability of utilities, and agriculture.
Other areas to focus on, is the security implications of the lockdown, be it partial or total.
He highlighted certain areas government should focus, which includes the provision of temporal shelters as the country has a huge population without residence. Adding that, the country has over one and half million (1.5million) housing deficit.
On the economy, Mr Kwoffie noted that, as an SME economy, government must spend more to support local businesses with some tax rebates, financial reliefs, refunds and social assistance.
Total Lockdown might not be the best option for Ghana but should that happen; more expenditure is needed to sustain economic growth with an economic stimulus package of over GH15 Billion for 28 days.
Registered businesses and firms would have to shut down operations with employees going home with salaries or not, pointing to permanent or temporal job losses.
However, government would still have to ensure the continuation of salaries of public sector employment and provision of basic needs and others services including electricity, essential services, water and food.
The CEO suggested a meeting between all the relevant business organizations including the manufacturing and the service sector on possible job losses and production, not excluding the private sector that does not have any form of economic protection.
The utilities companies that play an important role in the people’s social and economic life cannot be cut out from the discussion.
Godfred Sey/ ahotor fm news/ ahotoronline
