Ghana

, ,

PETROLEUM REVENUE MANAGEMENT IN GHANA: THE EPOCH OF HIGH EXPECTATION IN PERSPECTIVE

, ,

Kow Kwegya Amissah Abraham*

ABSTRACT

The avoidance of resource curse is, in part, dependent on the management and administration of realized revenue from the exploration of its natural resource. This article evaluates the existing fiscal regime and the regulatory frameworks that Ghana established to manage its petroleum revenue from 2010 to 2013. The restrictive period accounts for the era where Ghanaians showed high expectations of increased benefits from oil. In this vein, the article analyses the preparedness reflected in the policy framework to manage accrued revenue and, by extension, the expectation of citizens on improved living conditions. This article established that existing mechanisms, legislation, and checks and balance procedures to manage petroleum revenues are not the final steps at ensuring sustainable development. Two crucial factors play a decisive role in this regard. First is the extent to which accrued revenue is expended in critical areas of the economy for accelerated growth. Second is the commitment to, and establishment of, strong public institutions to enforce the relevant regulations.

Keywords: Fiscal Regime, Transparency, Tax, Petroleum Revenue.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jsdlp.v10i1.2

* BA, MPhil (Ghana), MPP (Germany), Lecturer, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana, and Executive Director, Centre for Policy Research and Training. kow.abraham@ucc.edu.gh.

, ,

CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS IN GHANA’S OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY: IN WHOSE INTEREST?

, ,

Kow Kwegya Amissah Abraham*

ABSTRACT

This article examines the history, nature, scope and policy ramifications of the production sharing contract as the core contractual agreement guiding the Ghanaian petroleum sector. It discusses the policy linkages between this form of contractual agreement and the management of the country’s oil exploration activities from 2010 to 2014. The article assesses the extent to which Ghana, as a new oil exporting country, has sought to actualize its resource benefits through negotiated contracts and agreements as well as management policies. The article argues that better negotiated contractual agreements ensure maximum State benefits from oil exploration. Again, production monitoring, periodic evaluation and institutional capacity building are effective ways of securing greater profits from oil resources. Finally, better legal and policy frameworks will also guarantee prudent management of the oil revenues. Keywords: Contracts; policy-making; agreements; oil exploration and production; Ghana. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jsdlp.v8i2.9 1. INTRODUCTIONABSTRACT This article examines the history, nature, scope and policy ramifications of the production sharing contract as the core contractual agreement guiding the Ghanaian petroleum sector. It discusses the policy linkages between this form of contractual agreement and the management of the country’s oil exploration activities from 2010 to 2014. The article assesses the extent to which Ghana, as a new oil exporting country, has sought to actualize its resource benefits through negotiated contracts and agreements as well as management policies. The article argues that better negotiated contractual agreements ensure maximum State benefits from oil exploration. Again, production monitoring, periodic evaluation and institutional capacity building are effective ways of securing greater profits from oil resources. Finally, better legal and policy frameworks will also guarantee prudent management of the oil revenues.

Keywords: Contracts; policy-making; agreements; oil exploration and production; Ghana.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jsdlp.v8i2.9 1.

* BA, MPhil (Ghana), MPP (Germany), Lecturer, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana, and Executive Director, Centre for Policy Research and Training. kow.abraham@ucc.edu.gh

, ,

UNQUENCHED THIRST: THE NEED FOR A CONSTITUTIONALLY RECOGNIZED RIGHT TO WATER IN GHANA

, ,

Tia Crosby*

ABSTRACT

The practice of privatizing water is often discussed as the leading method for improving access to adequate water in developing countries. Notably, this method has a cost that frequently impedes access to water in the developing world, while exploiting the profitability of a natural resource that is vital to human life. In Ghana, the failure of water privatization initiatives and the growing scarcity of adequate water have caused a public health crisis that necessitates a quick and efficient solution. As demonstrated in South Africa, the codification of the right to water in its constitution has improved access to adequate water, sparked government concern and action on water and sanitation issues, and provided citizens with various avenues to compel government adherence to the constitutional right. Is constitutional recognition of the right to water an adequate alternative to privatization of water? If so, can such recognition solve Ghana’s water woes? This paper examines how constitutional recognition of the right to water in Ghana can successfully encourage the substantive realization of access to adequate water to all Ghanaians and an efficient procedural process that assures government accountability in water governance.

* BA (University of North Carolina, NC, USA), JD (Florida A&M School of Law, USA), Certificate in International Human Rights Law and Global Justice Studies; Human Rights Fellow (2014), Florida A&M University College of Law, Orlando, USA.