Some 'Voltarians' kick against oil exploration in Keta Basin, dread oil curse

Some people have kicked against the impending oil exploration in the Volta Region.

Some people from Keta and Anloga on Thursday hit the streets to protest against the attempt by the government to begin oil exploration close to the Keta Basin.

According to the protesters, they don’t want the region to experience what has been described in some quarters as the oil curse.

The protesters, mainly made up of fisher folks, also believe the focus on oil exploration by the government will seriously affect their trade, which will bring about untold hardships to poor people.

The spokesperson for the protesters, Mr Elorm Agbodzie, said any form of oil exploration will destroy farmlands and put people out of Jobs. He added that just like some experiences in the areas, oil exploration will trigger conflicts and that local people will not get any direct benefit from the oil deals.

In 2016, the government Swiss African Oil Company – a subsidiary of Swiss African Petroleum AG and PET Volta Investments reached an agreement to embark on onshore oil and gas exploration in the Keta Basin of the Volta

The Keta Basin is part of the larger Voltarian Basin, which includes onshore areas stretching up to the northern parts of the country. It is the biggest landmass of Ghana, occupying one-third of the whole country.

The Keta Delta block is estimated to cover an area of 3,000 square kilometers.