COVID-19 MEASURES AND DEMOCRACY IN WEST AFRICA A case study of Nigeria and Ghana

Abstract

In trying to respond to the covid19 pandemic, the government in nascent democracies like Nigeria and Ghana initiated measures and policies to mitigate the adverse effect of the pandemic. Measures such as lockdowns, public health measures and social distancing measures, were enacted although these measures were needed but the implementation of these measures affected democratic principles especially the egalitarian principle of democracy. The work studied the impact of these measures on egalitarian democracy. Using the egalitarian democratic theory to illuminate this study, this study with the use of secondary data adopts mixed method approach of quantitative and qualitative case study, with content analysis, comparing Nigeria and Ghana, looking at how the measures taken by the Government heightened or decreased the inequality that already existed in the society. The study concludes that Nigeria and Ghana took almost similar measures in combating the adverse effect of the pandemic. The implementation of these measures heightened inequality as the poor became more vulnerable to contacting the virus and also are on the receiving end of the inequalities, when compared to the rich. However, in comparison Ghana did better in upholding the egalitarian principle of democracy when compared to Nigeria as socioeconomic relief measures were properly implemented in Ghana. This stress the need that both Nigeria and Ghana Government need to ensure equal distribution of material and immaterial rights, liberties and resources, most especially Nigeria.