Mobility analysis reveals decreased travel in Ghana, even after partial lockdown was lifted

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), Vodafone Ghana, and the Flowminder Foundation have released a second mobility analysis report, which shows how population movements have changed since mobility restrictions were introduced and lifted, as part of government’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Ghana Statistical Service and the Flowminder Foundation have extended their mobility analysis using anonymised and aggregated data from Vodafone Ghana, following a first report released on 03 April.
The organisations analysed the effects of mobility and social distancing interventions between 17 February and 03 May, highlighting the differences in population movements before, during and after the mobility restrictions were introduced, including the lockdown in parts of the Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Areas.
Tracey Li, Data Scientist at Flowminder explains: “Our analysis highlights dramatic reduction in movements between districts and between regions throughout the period of study. We paid particular attention to the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions but also analysed movements in other areas around the country. Overall, we see similar trends across the areas of study compared to the norm: a reduction of movements when the first measures were introduced, and a significant decrease in journeys during the lockdown period. Now the lockdown has been lifted, we’re starting to see an increase in movements again, but lower than what was the norm back in February.”
Professor Samuel Annim, Government Statistician, at GSS comments: “The observation that mobility after the partial lockdown was lifted remains at levels lower than mobility during the periods of the baseline and the initial restrictions, including sanctioning social distancing and adherence to public health hygienic protocols; endorses the effectiveness of the use of moral suasion as a complementary intervention in the fight against COVID-19. Residents in Ghana deserve commendation for not reverting to the ways of living prior to the imposition of the initial restrictions and are therefore urged to continue with change in behaviour in order to contain the epidemic.”
Patricia Obo-Nai, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vodafone Ghana says: “It is gratifying to know that our aggregated and anonymised data has produced insights which evaluate the effectiveness of the measures being implemented in this crucial fight and will ultimately support government’s response against the pandemic. This second report highlights how mobility insights can support policy making as it provides the Government with an accurate picture of how people moved between districts and regions.”
The report presents changes in travel within and between regions as well as changes in dispersion, (how people spread out from one region to another).
The report can be downloaded from GSS’ website at www.statsghana.gov.gh.
Methods used to produce these indicators are available on Flowminder’s website dedicated to supporting the COVID-19 pandemic response at covid19.flowminder.org.
 
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com