According to Mr Kwawukume, a senior research officer in oil and gas at the Ghana Institute of Governance and Security (GIGS), the exploration, to be carried out by Swiss African Oil Company, would put thousands of lives and their sources of livelihood at great risk.

Lives at risk

He said a research conducted in the area by a Ghanaian geologist based in Houston, Mr Doe Ladzekpo, revealed that the exploration activities would put at risk the lives of about 654,330 inhabitants of the Keta, Akatsi South, Ketu North, Ketu South, Central Tongu and South Tongu districts which lay within 3,000 square kilometres of the basin.

“Unlike what is happening in the Western Region where the exploration is on the sea, the Keta Basin exploration is going to be done on land, meaning some of our people have to vacate their present locations for the exploration to take place, and in the process lose their traditional sources of livelihood,” he told the Daily Graphic in an interview.

The research, according to Mr Kwawukume, further indicated that the technology to be used during the exploration, which required the blasting of rocks underground, could result in man-made earthquake that would destabilise the Keta Sea Defence Wall and as result worsen the perennial tidal attacks in the area, in addition to collapsing buildings and polluting underground water sources.

He said the Keta Lagoon, which is a source of livelihood for many in terms of fishing, would be polluted through the exploration activities; hence, endangering its aquatic life.

“We’re well aware of the Niger Delta situation in Nigeria where about 1,000 oil spillages were recorded within the spate of 10 years (2004 and 2014). Aquatic live and vegetation have all been destroyed,” he stated.

Alternative livelihood

Mr Kwawukume called for a halt to be put to the exploration process for a broader stakeholders’ consultation to address all concerns, especially with regard to adequate compensation and alternative livelihoods for affected residents.

He also suggested that since the Keta Lagoon held much economic prospect, it should be dredged and developed to boost aquaculture, irrigation and eco-tourism activities, instead of the oil exploration.

Background

The Keta Basin, which is believed to have some hydrocarbon potential, was awarded to Swiss African Oil Company, a subsidiary of Swiss African Petroleum Ag, and PET Volta Investments to prospect for the ‘black gold’ in the southern part of the Volta Region.

The exploration agreement between the multinational firm and the stateowned Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) was ratified by Parliament in 2016, granting Swiss African Oil Company the first onshore oil exploration licence in the country.