THE EFFECTS OF OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION ON THE SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF JOMORO DISTRICT OF GHANA

ABSTRACT Several works have explored the relationship between oil and gas exploration and the livelihood. Such works posit that the two are undeniable inversely related (Auty, 1993; Le Billon, 2005; Basedau, 2005). Inferring from the state of oil exploration and its effects on the livelihoods of the host communities, one observes the significant role oil and gas exploration play in the national economy while at the same time impoverishes the host communities. Thus, using the positivist approach mainly through interviews with semi - structured questionnaire, the study seeks to investigate the impact of oil and gas exploration on the livelihoods of the host communities, using the 24 affected communities at Jomoro District of the Western Region as a case study. The study revealed that there is an inverse relationship between oil and gas exploration and the livelihoods of the people in the host communities. The study however, pointed out that whilst majority of the people in the host communities have their livelihoods taken away from them, others saw improvement in their lives after getting themselves engaged in the oil and gas sector and other new businesses springing up in the communities. In view of this, it is recommended that Ghana should learn the best practices from countries like Norway that ensures that oil and gas resources benefit the entire populace while at the same time not impoverish the host communities. Also, government should craft the community local content law with community stakeholder involvement to ensure their interest are well served.