Voltaian Basin: Ghana’s Parliament seeks evidence of progress before further funding

The Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy has demanded tangible results from government funding allocated to oil exploration in the Voltaian Basin, warning that future budget allocations will require clear evidence of progress.

Chairman of the Committee, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, said repeated allocations for exploration in the basin must translate into measurable outcomes.

He said the Committee would scrutinise the results of funds already approved before supporting further allocations to the programme.

Mr Bedzrah made the remarks during the Committee’s working visit to the Petroleum Commission as part of its oversight activities to assess the Commission’s operations and management procedures.

The Voltaian Basin has been the focus of oil and gas exploration efforts, with government allocating funds to support exploration activities aimed at determining its hydrocarbon potential.

During the engagement, the Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, Emeafa Hardcastle, outlined measures being pursued to reverse the decline in Ghana’s crude oil production and attract fresh investment into the upstream petroleum sector.

She said the government had secured fresh commitments of about US$35 billion to help revitalise the sector.