Abstract:
ABSTRACT
Oil as a natural resource generally requires that good practices be adopted both for its
exploration and governance with reference to the use of its revenue. The supposition
that oil exploration generates rents that are enough to quicken growth and ensure
sustainable development is central to the evolution and growth of expectations and
heightened excitement by citizens when oil is discovered. This was the case in 2010
when Ghana first commercialized oil. This research examines the various
expectations that inhabitants in the exploration area, Asemda, Nkroful, Anochie,
Esiama, Atuabo and Sanzule, have from the oil exploration; assesses how institutions
directly involved in the oil governance are managing these expectations of the
inhabitants. Finally, the study assesses how the management of these expectations
translate into peace. The study employs the qualitative research methodology. This
will further add to the discourse that there are various expectations among the people
which are influenced by factors such as age, education, etc. Again, the study seeks to
first explore the expectations of stakeholders with respect to the oil exploration and
establish that the indigenes in the research area hold great expectations with respect
to development. Also, the study assesses the capacity of oil-related institutions to
manage expectations and again establishes that most of the institutions are not
adequately resourced to have adequate capacity for effective management.
Additionally, the study evaluate how the management of expectations translate into
‘positive’ peace, and then further establish that, so far there is the existence of peace
in the area though the management of the expectations have not been very effective.
The study finds that inhabitants in the research area are not fully engaged to seek their
views on projects and facilities that meet their needs. In respect of this, the researcher
seeks to recommend that government enhances the frontiers of transparency and
accountability in this regard
