Ghana recorded its first two cases of the deadly novel coronavirus after it hit the country's shores in March 2020.

The active cases of people testing positive since then has surged.

These worrying figures triggered President Akufo-Addo to impose a rigorous restriction in other to curb the spread of covid-19.

The ban on social gathering, a partial lockdown, closure of the borders and schools, were some of the measures government took to combat the spread of the virus.

These restrictions had a great toll on the livelihood of Ghanaians.

Businesses where closed, education was put on hold, streets were empty, basically, everything came to a standstill.

In a Business Tracker Survey conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank, it revealed that the pandemic has had a negative impact on Ghanaian businesses.

The survey disclosed that Covid-19 has not only claimed lives but has also had considerable impacts on businesses, forcing many firms to cut costs by reducing staff hours, cutting wages, and in some cases laying off workers.  

About 42,000 employees were laid off during the country’s Covid-19 partial lockdown and 770,000 workers (25.7% of the total workforce), had their wages reduced.

An estimated average of ¢115.2 million sales was decreased and at a point, employers adapted to the shift system, encouraging workers to work from home.

The pandemic also led to a reduction in the working hours for close to 700,000 workers.

With the new normal, 244,000 firms have adjusted to digital solutions.

President Akufo-Addo in his 23rd address to the nation on measures to combat Covid-19 encouraged employers to make use of virtual platforms for business while employing the shift systems.

"All workplaces, public and private, must employ a shift-system for workers, in addition to the use of virtual platforms for business or work. Conferences and workshopscan take place with all the appropriate protocols.

"However, I encourage the use of virtual platforms for such engagements," he said.