Prof Samuel Kobina Annim, Gov’t Statistician
THE GHANA Statistical Service (GSS) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank, yesterday, started a Business Tracker Survey to track the impact of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic on businesses in Ghana.
The survey, which continues to June 20, 2020, involves the use of telephone interviews for data collection to identify and measure the impact of the disease on small, medium and large-scale establishments operating in the country.
The impact of the pandemic is already hitting businesses and individuals hard across the world.
Government Statistician, Prof. Samuel Kobina Annim, in a statement noted that the survey would also assess measures employed by businesses to lessen the impact of the pandemic and also efforts to help them recover well.
“The survey will also assess measures put in place by businesses to mitigate the impacts of Covid-19 as well as efforts to build a better recovery for businesses. The outcome of the survey will enable government and development partners come out with measures to alleviate the impact of the disease on businesses,” he added.
Professor Annim indicated that results from the survey would inform policy directions in protecting jobs and safeguarding progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The findings will also provide insights into keeping the promise of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) alive as a tool to handle future pandemics and protect jobs and businesses,” he said.
He warned that the data collection did not require payment of money, adding that establishments are not supposed to pay any money to any person, while also he said the information being solicited would be kept confidential.