Socio – Economic Policy Response to Covid -19 in the Economic Commission for Community West Africa States (ECOWAS)

The macroeconomic impact of the COVID-19 epidemic in a quantitative dynamic period general equilibrium setup with nominal rigidities. Worldwide, the social and economic effects of the pandemic have been unprecedented, and Africa has not been spared. This study is aimed at assessing the socioeconomic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in Africa with specific reference to four West African countries, Ghana Nigeria Senegal, and Mali. The study adopted qualitative research, through a systematic review of the literature. This was done by following a keyword search on literature that relates to the Covid 19 pandemic. The study confirmed that the covid-19 pandemic has had multiple negative socio-economic consequences in West Africa. It found that socially, the pandemic has increased inequality, and triggered sexual and gender-based violence against women and children. Economically, it had increased public debt, overburdened the health care system, and destroyed livelihoods. various containment policies were employed to dramatically reduce the welfare cost of the disease; social policy measures such provision of free meals, and cash donations to vulnerable groups were implemented, and public debt management mechanisms and stimulus packages were introduced.