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Social Protection and Social Distancing During the Pandemic: Mobile Money Transfers in Ghana

Author

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  • Karlan, Dean
  • Lowe, Matt
  • Osei, Robert
  • Osei-Akoto, Isaac
  • Roth, Benjamin N.
  • Udry, Christopher

Abstract

We study the impact of mobile money transfers to a representative sample of low-income Ghanaians during the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement of the upcoming transfers affects neither consumption, well-being, nor social distancing. Once disbursed, transfers increase food expenditure by 8%, income by 20%, and a social distancing index by 0.08 standard deviations. Over 40% of the transfers were spent on food. The positive effects on income mostly persist at final measurement, eight months after the last transfer. Together, we learn that cash transfers can support households economically while also promoting adherence to public health protocols during a pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Karlan, Dean & Lowe, Matt & Osei, Robert & Osei-Akoto, Isaac & Roth, Benjamin N. & Udry, Christopher, 2022. "Social Protection and Social Distancing During the Pandemic: Mobile Money Transfers in Ghana," CEPR Discussion Papers 17510, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:17510
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    2. Dang, Hai-Anh H. & Oseni, Gbemisola & Abanokova, Kseniya, 2025. "Educational inequalities during COVID-19: Results from longitudinal surveys in Sub-Saharan Africa," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    3. Aiken, Emily & Bellue, Suzanne & Blumenstock, Joshua E. & Karlan, Dean & Udry, Christopher, 2025. "Estimating impact with surveys versus digital traces: Evidence from randomized cash transfers in Togo," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    4. Baur, Dirk G. & Gopalakrishnan, Balagopal & Mohapatra, Sanket, 2025. "Alternative investment behavior of households during crises: The effects of the COVID-19 shock on gold purchases in India," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    5. Eliana Carranza & Stan Veuger & Michael Weber, 2023. "Protecting Workers, Firms, and Worker-Firm Attachment During COVID-19," World Bank Publications - Reports 40089, The World Bank Group.
    6. Fiala, Nathan & Rose, Julian & Aryemo, Filder & Ankel-Peters, Jörg, 2025. "Timing matters: The (very) long-run impacts of cash grants during a crisis," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    7. de Leon, Fernanda L. Lopez & Malde, Bansi & McQuillin, Ben, 2023. "The effects of emergency government cash transfers on beliefs and behaviours during the COVID pandemic: Evidence from Brazil," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 140-155.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health
    • H84 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - Disaster Aid

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