The Possibility of Oil Conflict In Ghana: Evidence from the Western Region.

Abstract

It is no doubt that natural resources such as gold, bauxite, manganese, oil etc. are commodities that are classified as a potential key to development to a country. This is as a result of their huge financial assets that can be derived from them. Countries such as Australia, the United States, Norway, and Botswana have over the years derived massive benefits from natural resources. However, most resource-endowed countries, especially those in the developing world have often times been faced with serious “resource curse” issues. The purpose of this research is to emphasize on the likelihood of the oil discovery and its related activities in Western Region of Ghana resulting in future conflicts. The study adopted a mixed method research design approach. The main instruments used for the data collection were structured interviewer-administered questionnaire as well as Interview guides. The main findings revealed that there is high possibility of future conflicts and agitations occurring as a result of the fact that the discovery of oil and its related activities have had the tendency of affecting the main source of livelihood (fishing and farming), experienced high cost of living, as well as increased unemployment in the host communities.

Keywords: Oil-Rich Countries, Resource Curse, Ellembele District, Ghana