CSO's demand that government comes clear on projects undertaken with oil revenue

Panelists on GBC's current affairs programme Talking Point are hopeful the Petroleum Revenue Management Bill before Parliament will be passed into law by the end of the year. 

This they said would close the gaps under PNDC law 84 which is currently in operation. 

The panelists discussed promoting transparency in the Oil and Gas platform. 

Dr Steve Manteaw said citizens should be strengthened to demand accountability for what revenue accruing from the oil and gas sector is used for. 

He said transparency is not an end to itself but a means to achieve better proceeds or benefits from the oil sector adding that calling for transparency alone is not enough.

For her part the Deputy Programmes Manager of Star Ghana Mary Tobin Osei, underscored the importance of inputs of civil society organisations in the oil and gas sectors. 

She was unhappy that this time round CSOs are better involved in their activities. But was worried the public is not getting enough information as far as activities of oil and gas are concerned.

Ben Boakye of the Africa Center for Energy Policy expressed concern about the fact that the Minister of Finance has the discretion to undertake certain projects which might not be viable. 

He stressed the need for him to dialogue with CSOs on the kind of projects to be undertaken.

Those were panelists on GBC's current affairs programme, Talking Point.

GBC