Knowledge, expectation and fears of oil activities in fishing, farming and market communities in Sekondi -Takoradi
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Date
2015-04-17
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University of Ghana
Abstract
As the capital of the Western Region and one of Ghana's fastest
growing cities, Sekondi -Takoradi has become the hub of oil activities
since the discovery and production of the resource. Majority of
economic activities center on fishing, farming, trade and service.
Activities in mining and lumbering from other areas in the Western
region have also generated growth in the metropolis. With the
discovery of oil in 2007, however, there has been some expansion of
the port facilities as well as plans to restore the rail system.
The coastal location of most of the communities has given room for
the development of the vibrant fishing sector which still persists.
Local and commercial fishing activities are undertaken by both
indigenes and migrants. Farming has been on the decline as
farmlands close to the city center consistently give way to the
spread and need for residential facilities in response to the increasing
costs of land. This paper looks at 3 communities engaged in
fishing, farming and trade in service within the metropolis.
Qualitative and quantitative data from interview and household
surveys conducted in March 2013 are used in discussing the
knowledge, expectations and fears of households in regard of oil
activity. Knowledge on products derived from crude oil refinement
is appreciably high, especially in the trade service community. In
contrast knowledge on the laws governing the sectors activities is
not appreciable in any of the three communities. The level of fear is
low as many respondents are affirmative on the positive benefits of
oil activity. The paper concludes that with dissemination of information
through the right channels and improved knowledge
sources, high expectations can be appropriately managed
Description
School of social sciences colloquium
Keywords
communities, Western Region, resource, economic activities