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Paper short abstract:

Discovery of oil in Ghana has resulted in significant commercial opportunities. After two years of exploration; a ‘new struggle’ to survive has emerged amongst coastal communities as livelihoods are threatened. Can opportunities from oil and gas production be balanced with impacts on livelihoods?

Paper long abstract:

Discovery of commercial quantities of oil in Ghana has resulted in significant commercial opportunities for the West African nation. After two years of exploration however, a number of concerns have emerged particularly in the coastal districts. Calls from affected communities and civil society groups point towards the need to balance the opportunities with concerns about impact on livelihoods; but as these questions are being asked, who is listening? Are there sufficient institutional arrangements to provide the needed protection for these livelihoods? Considering that 10 percent of the country's population is dependent on fisheries resources for their livelihood, with about 4.5 percent of the sector contributing towards the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the situation cannot be brushed aside. Data for the preparation of this paper is gathered from engagements with fishermen and other stakeholders from three coastal districts - Ahanta West, Ellembelle and Jomoro. This was part of an ongoing World Bank sponsored project to pilot the use of technology as a tool for two way Transparency and accountability around oil and gas sector (2012-2013). The paper thus highlights some of the perceived and real direct environmental and associated problems community members face as a result of the oil exploration and exploitation particularly in the absence of a fisheries impact assessment. Using political ecology as a framework of analysis, this paper raises a key issue for the need to exercise caution particularly with the planning of Ghana's energy future from oil and gas development not neglecting the impact on producing communities.