Ghana: What are the Effects of Relying on Offshore Drilling for Economic Development?

After the discovery of oil off the Ghanaian coastline in 2007, it would only take three years for drilling to begin. Given the history of oil resources in the West African region, the drilling would have to be managed effectively in order to ensure that the country, and its citizens, were not taken advantage of in the process.

Despite initial success in Ghana, the future prosperity of the oil industry will be determined by how well companies respond to current concerns: Will allegations that companies pay Ghanaian workers less than expatriate workers in the same job continue? What will be the consequences of labor demonstrations? How has the drilling affected local fishermen? Is the government properly enforcing the laws regulating oil? And how can the revenue be injected back into the communities affected by drilling?