By Francis Whajah
FW/06/10/15/GH
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Day two of the 6th
Regional Media Training on Oil and Gas and Mining being held in Ghana has been
eventful. As expected new knowledge has been gained, skills sharpened and
experience strengthened
As I sat through the
presentations on day two, I picked up some additional knowledge which I wish to
share as my wrap up of day two
The joy and the expectations
that often follow the discovery of oil is huge but should we as a people start
to lower or manage expectations as there is more beyond the discovery of oil?
As my facilitator for the Day,
Kwami Ahiabenu puts it, the value of a country’s crude will determine the
price. The sweeter and lighter the crude, the higher the price and the heavier
and sour it is, the lower the price. This is because sweet and light crude is
easier to use and refine
Another high point for me on
the day was the Public Interest and Accountability Committee, PIAC. PIAC is a
public oversight committee created under section 51 of the Petroleum Revenue
Management Act of Ghana to ensure that the collection and management of
petroleum revenues in Ghana are consistent with the provisions of the Petroleum
Revenue and Management ACT, ACT 815. The revelation however that the finance
ministry has failed to release monies due them for several months is worrying.
It raises the question as to whether Government is willing to empower PIAC to
play its role as a ‘watchman’ in the extractive sector or not?. Chairman of
PIAC, Professor Paul K. Buah-Bassuah did not mince words with that when he took
turn to enlighten participants on the role of PIAC in the extractive sector
My wrap- up of day two will not
be complete without stating that my Tanzanian and Ugandan brothers and sisters
really enjoyed their lunch because their call for pepper in the meals to be
minimized was heeded to. The smiles on the faces of Nyamiti, Sylivester and
Rehema spoke dozens. “We like today’s meal. Less pepper” they emphasized. I
must state though that it was normal and business as always for the Ghanaians
I can only hope for the rest of
the days to be better as we move along the decision chain
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