Upper East Region holds forum on Oil and Gas

Participants at a day's
Upper East Regional
Consultative Forum on the Policy Document on Oil and Gas have called on Government not to compromise other important sectors that were viable to the economy with the discovery of oil and gas.

They stressed the need to re-focus more on the agricultural sector that was vibrant to the economy, especially to rural dwellers.

The participants at the forum held in Bolgatanga on Wednesday, expressed concern about the possible negative effects the oil discovery might have on the environment.

They therefore called for measures to be instituted to forestall air and water pollution in surrounding communities.

The participants noted that with the discovery many people were rushing to acquire land from traditional rulers in neighbouring communities that might create conflicts.

They suggested that a land tenure committee should be established to deal with such conflicts.

The participants suggested that 50 per cent of the proceeds from oil exports should be channelled into investments and the remaining 50 per cent for development projects.

They stressed the need for the establishment of a second oil re-finery in Ghana to supply the West African Sub-Region with refined petroleum products.

Mrs Mangowa Ghanney, Deputy Director in- charge of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, said the forum was to solicit inputs from stakeholders to draw a master plan for exploration.

Mr Alhassan Samari, Upper East Regional Minister said one of the most essential commodities that could put a country on a sound economic footing was oil but it had to be managed well in order not to create problems.