Local Giving During COVID-19 in Ghana: Uncovering the Potential of Domestic Resource Mobilisation in Ghana
In Ghana, the first cases of COVID-19 were recorded on 27 March 2020 and by 26 October 2020, the country had reported 47,690 confirmed cases and 316 deaths predominantly in Accra and Kumasi (Ghana Health Service, 2020). The rise of the COVID-19 pandemic threatened not only the lives of citizens but also altered the socio-economic facets of many households, organisations, businesses and nations (Konrad, 2020; Yemoh, 2020). Since its emergence in Ghana, several measures have been put in place to fight the pandemic. These include imposing travel restrictions, banning social gatherings, and the closure of economic activities (Ministry of Information, 2020; Communication Bureau, 2020). These measures, according to the 5th address of the president, declined the economic growth and ignited threats of hunger and poverty among vulnerable groups in the country (Ministry of Information, 2020). The civil society sector is one of the groups that has been negatively affected by the severe impact of the pandemic. Even though civil society organisations (CSOs) have a vital role to play in responding to the pandemic, their activities have been handcuffed by the overbearing repressions from the negative impact of the pandemic (EpicAfrica, 2020). Yet, Brim and Wenham (2019) posit that there are inadequate financial resources readily available to tackle emergency pandemics in developing countries. Also, many developing countries like Ghana are considered to be middle-income, hence the possibility to attract funding from international donors have lessened.
Read the full publication here:
