GhanaWeb Special: Normal life resumes in Ghana’s biggest coronavirus hotspot

Barely a month after the removal of the restrictions on movement in some parts of Ghana’s capital, Accra the human instinct of working to survive has already roared the central business district back to life.

The imagination of walking through the traditional market centre without having to bump into someone or fight off inconveniencing touches because of the practice of social distancing was far from reality.

In fact, life inside the Central Business District, Tudu is fully back from the slump without any practice of social distancing and a huge chunk of traders and commuters blatantly disregarding the use of face mask.

But for the presence of Veronica buckets in some specific sections of the market, there would be no difference at all.

Why is this surprising?

The Accra Metropolis which includes traditional market centres like Tudu, Kantamanto and several others have been declared as a coronavirus hotspot. What this means is that such areas have become major incubators for the spread of the virus.

But some traders aren’t concerned enough to exercise caution. In an interaction with GhanaWeb, some went as far as expressing their disbelief in the existence of the virus.

A young man who sells socks and chains told the news team, “…Your fate tells you the virus is real but mine says otherwise. If I get it (coronavirus) right now, I’ll go to my hometown and treat myself with herbal drugs. As far as I’m concerned, the diseases caused by the virus can easily be cured with herbal medicine. To me, if I get it I’ll resort to herbal drugs.

How is living life and business in a coronavirus hotspot?

With the subject of social distancing standing out, the GhanaWeb news team scavenged parts of the market to find areas where social distancing was strictly adhered to but the narrative remained the same.

Some traders who agreed to share their sentiments with GhanaWeb said they are cautiously protecting themselves in the market which has been identified as a hotspot.

But business has rather been slower than expected causing a number of them to explore the sale of other products. “…because of the harsh realities we face now, the business has really been slow. For me, as you can see I’m selling nose masks now but that isn’t what I normally sell, I used to sell slippers,” a petty trader told GhanaWeb.

What are the authorities doing?

Traders and commuters told us city authorities have been quite visible in the enclave but they seem not to have many options as to how to handle their disregard for social distancing protocols.

A trader said, “AMA officials come around quite often to teach us social distancing and other safety measures. Also, they tell us to clear off the main road…”

However, efforts by the GhanaWeb team to reach city authorities proved futile.

Some hotspot areas across the country include; Tema, Klottey Korle, Accra Metro, Kpone Katamanso, all in the Greater Accra Region and Obuasi, Kumasi, Kwadaso, Suame, Oforikrom and Aboaso in the Ashanti Region.