AFRIPOL.ORG IDEAS HAVE CONSEQUENCES
COMMENTARY
BY AFRIPOL: GHANA CAN MAKE OIL WORK FOR THEM
July 1,2007
WE
are elated on hearing about the huge oilfield that was discovered in
Ghana. This west African nation has always been in the vanguard of Africa’s
rebirth and possibilities. While many people were rejoicing with Ghana, a
sizeable number of people were worried about the so-called “curse” of oil
wealth. Judging from the reality of the big mess and herculean mismanagement in
oil African producing nations, things are not very encouraging. But from the
history of Ghana and its sophisticated leadership our nerves were not jittery,
for Ghana has always been an affirmative exemplary country in Africa.
We cannot blame the pessimists and authors of doom and gloom, after taking
account of the big picture in our hemisphere. Take a look at all the major oil
producers and exporters in Africa especially Nigeria and Angola. How far have
they fared with their oil wealth?
Not too good!! A sophomoric achievements - weak and dilapidated infrastructures
with a very devastating low human development index.
Corruption has eaten deep into the fabrics of these societies and no reward have
emanated from oil wealth. The infrastructures are deteriorated and there are no
tangible benefits of the billions of dollars derived from oil wealth.
Notwithstanding, we expect much better from Ghana and her leadership. Ghana will
not let Africa down and make us the joke of the world.
Reasonable caution must be taken by the people of Ghana and the leadership,
inorder that the sordid history of mismanagement and corruption will not fall on
their lap.
A paradigm of accountability and probity must be instituted. From the first time
revenues start trickling down to the national treasury, there must be a crystal
and acknowledged transparency.
Nigeria and Angola were not ready for the ramification of the geo-politics of
oil . There were civil wars and political instabilities in those nations. Of
course, there were poor management, lack of transparency and vision, coupled
with immaturity of the polity that made them an easy prey of intimidation and
control by multinational corporations.
Big oil companies are matured in the politics of oil, by any means necessary
they must have their ways. Bribery including “carrot and stick” become an
inducement and instrument to influence decision and in the manipulation to gain
contracts and supremacy.
Some of these companies seldom support despotic leaders who are willing to open
oil taps for them. This development became an impediment to the flourishing of
democracy and the taking hold of accountability and good governance in Africa.
Ghana can do better and we expect the best. Ghana has been in forefront of
African renaissance, and this golden opportunity given by this oil discovery,
will allow Ghana to rewrite the sad history of oil in Africa.
With the leadership of Ghana’s ebullient President John Kufuor, who proclaimed
that his country will become an African tiger ( though I prefer African lion)
will lead his nation to greater heights with probity, transparency and fairness.
© 2007 AFRIPOL.org