Managing Expectations on Oil Exploration to Maintain Peace in the Ellembelle District, Ghana

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