Our oil money

New things need new approach .  But how can one approach something new effectively when their knowledge about the new thing is limited or non available. 

Just after discovering oil and it’s subsequent production started in reasonably large quantities from 2011, the greater majority of Ghanaians are unaware of the detailed operations of the stakeholders and government.  Not to talk about the revenue Ghana makes.

This ignorance in itself has formed the background  for the non enthusiastic approach the ordinary person has for the oil and gas sector. But this cannot be right if we hope to collectively manage the resources that belong to all of us.

Again the argument that the Oil and Gas sector is somehow technical ; though correct should not a barrier preventing the ordinary citizen from knowing the basics about the operations of the sector. In fact what’s more important to the ordinary citizen should be HOW MUCH WE’VE MADE and WHERE WE’VE SPENT IT.

If we care less about the technical aspect of the sector we cannot careless about the revenue we make.  As citizens, when  we leave the governance of oil revenues to the  government and other stakeholders, it only means we do not want to be part of the governance process .

This cannot be the thinking of patriotic citizens wish the country well and seeking for transparency /accountability in the sector.  

The difficulty with finding information is also a factor in apathetic  posture from citizens. There need to be a judiciously following of  the revenues Ghana accrues with respect to oil and gas. The question is where can these be found.

The long search only points to the portal www.ouroilmoney.org . A comprehensive website that clearly breaks down into simplistic formats where our oil money comes from and where it goes. 

There is the need to embrace this, and introduce the findings to others so we can collectively police our revenues