The up and down sides of oil and gas development in the Wood Buffalo Region of Alberta, Canada: Positioning Ghana for progressive gains

Socio-economic benefits and challenges are consequential to oil and gas development, and effective planning is key to advancing favourable development outcomes. Drawing from Canada’s experience, this paper indicates that employment opportunities directly related to construction and operation of oil and gas production plants and indirect spin-off jobs needed to support the sector (e.g., manufacturing, transportation, accommodation and food, education and recreation) can create an enormous economic stimulus and revenue. However, the oil and gas production process and its associated population influx within and to surrounding communities of production sites to provide labour, goods and other services, come with challenges to develop and maintain the essential infrastructure and services. Further for oil and gas production in Ghana to enhance its development would require royalty and tax regimes that are responsive to market conditions for reasonable revenue and yet support small producers. It also calls for collaborated efforts of all levels of government, industry, community and other connected stakeholders, in which all parties commit to proactive efforts in taking advantage of opportunities and addressing emerging issues to foster thriving communities and nation-wide economic development.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228884505_The_up_and_down_sides_of_oil_and_gas_development_in_the_Wood_Buffalo_Region_of_Alberta_Canada_Positioning_Ghana_for_progressive_gains

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