Environmental implications of Oil and Gas activities on livelihoods of Citizens in Akyinkyin in the Western Region of Ghana

Abstract

The development of Ghana requires adequate revenue generation from the oil and gas sector. In the country’s quest to generate revenue for its development, a number of damages are caused to both the livelihoods of people in the oil producing areas and the environment. The research examined the environmental implications of oil and gas activities on the livelihoods of citizens in Akyinkyin in the western region of Ghana. Both the probability and non-probability methods of research were used. The study also employed the simple random sampling and purposive sampling methods in selecting respondents for the study. Questionnaire and focus group discussion guide was the main data collection instrument and a sample size of 350 respondents was used along with one focus group discussion. Frequencies, tables, percentages and thematic approaches were also used to present the data. The research found that the exploration of oil and gas activities led to high teenage pregnancies, reduced fishing and farming activities and loss of farmlands. It was also found that plant species and traditional herbs used for medicines have been lost and there have been oil spills into water bodies. It is therefore recommended that there should be an intensification of oil and gas monitoring activities in order to reduce oil spills and other environmental dangers.