Accra: Six years after the COVID-19 pandemic reached Ghana, many citizens say the experience has significantly influenced the way they live, work, and communicate.
According to Ghana News Agency, the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic by the World Health Organization in 2020 created widespread fear and uncertainty, leading to restrictions that disrupted economic and social activities across the country. Following the confirmation of the first two cases on March 12, 2020, the government introduced a partial lockdown in parts of the country to contain the spread of the virus, forcing many people to remain indoors and adopt new ways of carrying out daily activities.
Although the pandemic posed serious challenges, it also accelerated the adoption of digital technology across various sectors of Ghanaian society. Ms. Amerley Nortey, a resident of Tema, told the agency that social media platforms, particularly TikTok, gained popularity during the lockdown as people searched for ways to relieve stress and boredom. She noted that many young people now earn income through content creation on the platform.
Ms. Rahina Braimah, a student of the University of Ghana, mentioned that the pandemic transformed how churches interacted with their congregations. During the period when churches were closed, many religious organizations began streaming services online to maintain contact with members. Churches also introduced mobile money numbers and bank account details to enable members to send tithes and offerings electronically. Ms. Braimah said that even after restrictions were lifted, many churches continued to stream services on platforms such as YouTube and Facebook, while mobile money remained a common method for receiving offerings.
Mr. Kwaku Samson, a graduate of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, stated that social media applications helped families maintain communication during the lockdown. He shared that video calls through platforms such as WhatsApp enabled him to stay connected with immediate family members and relatives living abroad. Video calling has remained a common way for many Ghanaians to communicate with family members outside the country, while online teaching and learning introduced during the pandemic are still being used by some schools.
Nana Ama Gyasi, a student nurse, expressed that the lockdown influenced lifestyle habits, including cooking. Before the pandemic, she often bought food from outside, but the stay-at-home period encouraged her to start preparing her own meals. Ms. Gyasi relied on online cooking tutorials, particularly on YouTube, to learn new recipes. She noted that many people continue to use social media platforms such as YouTube and TikTok to learn cooking techniques even after the pandemic.
Six years on, many Ghanaians say the pandemic left lasting changes in how technology is used in everyday life.