INTRODUCTION:

Following is the report of a study on the impacts of COVID-19 on the economy and society in five

Anglophone West African Countries-The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria funded by

Ford Foundation-Nigeria Office. The study looked at especially how governments of these five

countries have responded to COVID-19 and the impacts of these public health and social measures

(PHSMs) and economic/financial measures on individuals, households and businesses, especially

  natural resources governance and management.

This report is structured as follows: Part one is the introduction which also articulates the objectives,

methodology and profiles of the national consultants while part two examines the COVID-19

pandemic and the response by the five governments. Part three examined the importance of natural

resources in the economies of the five countries, especially contribution to jobs, revenue and GDP as

well as its negative effects including social and environmental impacts. Part four looked at the COVID-

19 impacts on the economy and society including government response using fiscal and monetary

measures. Part five took up the necessary mitigation measures and prospects for an equitable and

green recovery. Part six discussed the governance reforms occasioned by COVID-19 and its impacts,

thus giving government, its development partners and citizens to rethink the strategic role of natural

resources in the economy and society and whether this is an opportunity for serious reflection or it

will be business as usual or even worse, little gains made in converting natural resources to lasting

benefits to society will be reversed. Part seven makes specific recommendations and concludes.