Substantial reserves offer the prospect of great wealth for Ghana if managed well, but the experience of many other oil producing countries is not promising. 

In December 2010 Ghana celebrated becoming a significant oil producing country. The Africa Programme has examined the impact of resource management in Africa for some years, hosted a series of high level events, and built up a considerable resource of expertise for decision makers and policy analysts. Some of these resources are gathered here.

Over 2011 the Africa Programme will be examining in more detail the prospects for Ghana's new found wealth to benefit the country as a whole, and impact Ghana's regional and international relations.

Resources

Is Ghana Prepared for First Oil?
Alex Vines
Expert Comment, December 2010

Alex Vines, Africa Programme Head and Director of Regional and Security Studies, argues that Ghana is not sufficiently prepared to benefit from its oil wealth or avoid an oil curse.

Promoting Democratic Management of Africa's Oil Wealth
Conference Summary, August 2010

An expert conference took place disseminating lessons from 'Promoting Democratic Management of Africa's Oil Wealth' - a regional project that addressed oil revenue transparency and accountability in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Trade and Energy Policy: Opportunities and Risks for Ghana
HE John Dramani Mahama, Vice President of Ghana
Meeting Summary, July 2010

The Vice President of Ghana discussed with a small number of senior business people and policymakers how Ghana's growing commercial potential is impacting policy making, and reflected on Ghana's growing profile in regional and international affairs.

Thirst for African Oil: Asian National Oil Companies in Nigeria and Angola
Alex Vines, Lillian Wong, Markus Weimer and Indira Campos
Report, August 2009

This report provides a comparative study of the impact of Asian companies on the two leading oil producing countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria and Angola.

Conflict and Democracy in West Africa: Trust the People
Nicholas Westcott
The World Today, March 2009

The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Nicholas Westcott, reflected on why so many African countries have been bedevilled by instability and suggested that accountability, balance and trust are critical as demonstrated by the positive Ghanaian experience.

Ghana's Big Test: Oil's Challenge to Democratic Development
Ian Gary, Senior Policy Advisor/Manager, Extractive Industries, Oxfam America
Meeting Summary, February 2009

This question and answer session following presentation of an Oxfam America report on Ghana's preparations for oil contained a lively exchange of views between analysts, journalists and activists on how to avoid the oil curse.

Oil, Corruption and the Resource Curse
Nicholas Shaxson
International Affairs, November 2007

This article, based on nearly 15 years' research into oil and politics in sub-Saharan Africa, explores the dynamics of the resource curse.

Contact

For more information please contact Tom Cargill, Assistant Head, Africa Programme.