Foreign Policy Decisions During Pandemics: The Case of Ghana’s Response to Covid-19

Abstract

This study aimed to examine Ghana's handling of the pandemic and its impact on the nation's foreign policy. Many studies on COVID-19 in Ghana focused on the pandemic's effects on Ghana and the country's international and domestic responses to the pandemic. This study, however, examined Ghana's foreign policy choices and actions taken during the epidemic to ensure the safety of its inhabitants and support the worldwide pandemic response, as well as investigate the pandemic's effects on the country's sovereignty. The theory of rational choice and the notion of national interest were both used as the analytical framework for the study's aim to answer the central research questions. The study employed both primary and secondary data sources to gather information in answering the central research questions. One of the study's key findings was that Ghana's borders were closed, which decreased the rate of viral infection and community spread. This action limited the virus's spread and served to safeguard the nation's population. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, also made clear that Ghana's emergency health response system had serious flaws. The government was forced to move quickly in response to the crisis since the nation's healthcare system was not prepared to handle it. Although the study's findings showed that some state responses to foreign policy, like closing land, sea, and air borders, along with some diplomatic ones, like vaccine diplomacy, were excellent at protecting the populace, some unfavourable effects on the identity and reputation of the country were also observed. The study's findings showed that although Ghana's responses to the epidemic had many positive effects, they had also restricted several crucial aspects of the country's foreign policy, such as the idea of good neighbourliness. The borders' restriction hampered the free flow of people and products over them, which had a detrimental effect on trade and business between Ghana and its neighbours. Considering these findings, the study suggests making a financial investment in Ghana's healthcare infrastructure to prepare it for potential catastrophes. The country will be better prepared to address upcoming health crises attributable to this investment in its emergency response infrastructure. A well coordinated and integrated approach to managing health emergencies is crucial for the nation's foreign policy goals and national interests, according to the study's recommendations.