Following the announcement of two Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the country by the Health Minister last week, there has been an uneasy calm among many Ghanaians. The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has warned that price hikes and a shortage of goods in the country’s markets are the most likely outcome if the virus is not contained anytime soon.

National President of GUTA, Dr. Joseph Obeng, has projected that by May the country will feel the brunt of the disease if drastic measures are not taken to stop the virus spreading.

“About 60% of our traders do physical travelling to the open markets in Asia to buy their goods. These people are not travelling at all, so they will not bring in any goods,” Dr. Obeng observed.

However, GUTA is advising Ghanaians not to engage in panic food-stocking. According to GUTA, due to Planting for Food and Jobs and private initiatives to promote the consumption of local rice, there is enough food in the country to cater for citizens over a long period – therefore there is no need for fear-based hoarding.

Speaking to the B&FT, Benjamin Yeboah – the National Welfare Officer of GUTA, - believes the development of panic-buying will rather shoot-up foodstuff prices if care is not taken.

Yeboah contends that the panic reaction since announcement of the two cases in the country is justified; but he believes the focus should be more directed at items that are not manufactured in Ghana at all – spare-parts, plastic wares, electrical cables and manufacturing equipment.

Since the announcement was made, hand-sanitizers are hard to find as people are panic-buying items they believe will ease spread of the disease. Some are even calling on the authorities to close the country’s borders to prevent the likelihood of further spreading the virus.

As the Health Minister, Kwaku Agyemang- Manu stated, Ghanaians must practice good hygiene and regularly wash their hands with soap and running water. Other tips are to avoid persons with symptoms of a cold, flu or incessant coughing.

The Coronavirus COVID-19 is affecting 135 countries and territories around the world, and the number of coronavirus cases in Africa has reached 102 confirmed with one death, said the African Union’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). However, public education has to be intensified to alert fringe and outlying communities.