Community perspectives on the impacts of oil and gas activities in Ghana: a closer look and analysis of fishery livelihoods within six coastal districts

Abstract

Discovery of oil in commercial quantities in Ghana has resulted in significant commercial opportunities for the West African nation. After a few years of exploration and production, some concerns have emerged. These are concerns about the environmental and livelihoods related changes induced by the presence of oil and gas activities. Do the existing institutional arrangements provide the needed protection for livelihoods in these coastal areas, particularly fisheries? The narratives for this paper are from engagements with fishers and other stakeholders in six coastal districts of Ghana. The paper is an attempt to offer a general framework for understanding the context and interactions of the fisheries sector with the oil and gas sector using a political ecology perspective alongside insights from a sustainable livelihoods framework.