‘Infrastructural development, hold politicians accountable’
A leading member of the Convention People's Party (CPP), Mr Kwame Jantuah, has observed that the Western Region is endowed with the bulk of Ghana's rich natural resources but little can be seen in terms of infrastructural development, especially road network.
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He has, therefore, called on the people in the region to hold politicians accountable, citing the use of the oil money, which has not benefited them in any way.
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"You voted for the politicians, the Executive to form government and Members of Parliament (MPs) to go to the national assembly to speak and act on your behalf in respect of the oil money. However, they seem to have failed you and so when they come to you next time, be bold enough to tell them you are not going to vote for them again," he requested.
Mr Jantuah, however, advised the people to first study the Petroleum Revenue Management Act, 2011, (Act 815) in order to be equipped very well to make meaningful arguments.
Addressing a public forum on the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) function and reports in Takoradi, Mr Jantuah insisted that if the people did not study the law very well, then they would have no locus in whatever representation they made to the politicians.
The forum sought to increase public knowledge on Ghana's Petroleum Revenue Management Framework, increase public awareness on the work of PIAC and the findings and recommendations of its reports, as well as provide a platform for participants to identify the gaps in management of petroleum revenues and provide recommendations.
The theme for the forum was, "Following the Oil Money: Informing Citizens for Better Petroleum Revenue Management".
Among the invited dignitaries were the Vice-President of the Western Region House of Chiefs, Nana Kwasi Agyeman and other paramount chiefs, representatives of civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, public-spirited individuals and media personnel.
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The PIAC was established under Section 51 of the Petroleum Management Act 2011 with the objectives provided in Section 52, including monitoring and evaluation in compliance with the Act by the government and other relevant institutions in the management and use of petroleum revenues.
Other objectives were to provide a platform for public debate on spending prospects of petroleum revenues in line with development priorities, as well as provide an independent assessment on the management and use of revenue.
Since its inauguration in September 2011, PIAC has produced five reports which contain findings and recommendations relating to management and use of revenues.
Mr Jantuah, who is also a member of the PIAC, further noted that the region had a very large rubber plantation but unfortunately, Ghana relied heavily on imports of second-hand tyres from abroad.
He emphasised that, "Before you talk about oil and gas and the money accruing from them, you first need to learn about the Act because it is very technical, and after studying and knowing so much about it, then you can sit on radio and other forums to make your point".
According to the CPP guru, about 70 per cent of the oil money was put into the consolidated fund, which he alleged was already leaking, adding that nothing was coming from the oil money to the region and for four years now, no concrete development had been seen in the region.
"Everything good in the country comes from the Western Region but it is sad that the people themselves are not talking about their neglect by respective governments. The region should have been better off by now, especially with the oil find," Jantuah said.
Mr Yaw Owusu-Addo, also a member of PIAC, recalled that the committee endured great difficulty in securing office accommodation for any effective work, and that the members had to operate from their individual residences and offices until recently when an office was made available to them.
He also corroborated the sentiments expressed by Mr Jantuah, adding that the people should be bold enough to monitor the judicious use of the oil and gas money.