Six years after the first cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Ghana, many citizens say the pandemic left lasting changes in how they communicate, worship, learn and manage daily routines.
When the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global pandemic in 2020, the development triggered widespread fear and led governments around the world to impose restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of the virus.
In Ghana, the confirmation of the first two cases on March 12, 2020 prompted authorities to introduce a partial lockdown in some parts of the country, forcing residents to remain indoors and quickly adapt to new ways of working, socialising and accessing services.
While the restrictions disrupted many economic and social activities, they also accelerated the use of digital tools and online platforms across different sectors.
A resident of Tema, Amerley Nortey, told the Ghana News Agency that social media became an important outlet during the lockdown period.
She said the short-video platform TikTok gained significant popularity at the time as people searched for ways to cope with boredom and stress while staying indoors.
According to her, the platform’s popularity has continued even after the pandemic, with many young people now earning income through content creation.
For students like Rahina Braimah of the University of Ghana, the pandemic also changed how religious organisations connect with their members.
She explained that when churches were temporarily closed, many congregations began broadcasting services online to maintain contact with worshippers. During that period, churches also introduced electronic payment systems, including mobile money and bank transfers, to enable members to send tithes and offerings remotely.
Ms Braimah noted that even after restrictions were lifted, many churches continue to stream services through platforms such as YouTube and Facebook, while digital payments remain common.
The pandemic also reshaped communication patterns among families. Kwaku Samson, a graduate of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, said video calling became essential during the lockdown.
He said applications such as WhatsApp helped him stay in touch with relatives abroad at a time when travel was restricted.
According to him, video calls remain widely used today, particularly among families with members living outside the country. He added that some schools have also continued to incorporate online learning methods introduced during the pandemic.
For Nana Ama Gyasi, a student nurse, the lockdown period also brought personal lifestyle changes.
She said staying at home encouraged her to start cooking more frequently instead of buying food from restaurants or vendors. To improve her cooking skills, she turned to online tutorials, particularly on YouTube, where she learned new recipes.
Ms Gyasi said many people still rely on platforms such as YouTube and TikTok to learn cooking techniques and other practical skills.
Years after the crisis began, many Ghanaians say the pandemic’s greatest legacy may be how it permanently integrated digital technology into everyday life.
