Ghana’s Oil and Gas Exploration and Production: Implications for Peace and Security in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Area.

Abstract

Ghana’s oil and gas exploration and production in the Western region which started in 2007 was welcomed with great enthusiasm and great expectations. In view of that, it has also created a new and formidable potential hornet’s nest comprising political, economic, social and even governance challenges (Panford, 2017). In recent times, STMA has witnessed series of public protests, gas explosions and influx of migrants into the metropolis. This study therefore set off to examine the security implications of the oil and gas on STMA, to assess people’s expectations from the oil and gas sector in STMA and to explore people’s perception of the oil and gas operations on the peace in STMA. The qualitative research approach was adopted in this study. The study found out that oil and gas exploration and production in STMA has not necessarily led to insecurity in the metropolis. The study also discovered that the expectations of most of the inhabitants in STMA concerning oil and gas exploration and production have not been met so far. The study also revealed that STMA is enjoying a relatively peaceful atmosphere since the oil and gas exploration and production has not drastically altered the perception of peace in the metropolis. The study therefore came to a conclusion that oil and gas exploration and production in STMA has not been a major threat to the peace and security of the metropolis. In view of all these findings, the study recommends that the government of Ghana should properly engage local stakeholders whose lives are affected by the oil and gas exploration and production such as farmers and fishermen and also ensure that Ghanaians participate fully in the oil and gas value chain.