ABSTRACT
Ghana has been touted as a peaceful country within a region that has seen a lot of conflict. This notwithstanding, there are a number of security issues that must be taken into account where oil and gas (O&G) are concerned. Until the discovery of oil in 2007, Sekondi-Takoradi, the capital of the Western Region was considered a ‘sleepy town’. It was largely seen as peaceful. However the dynamics are changing with increasing influx of people and growing crime that could give cause for worry. Furthermore, the Gulf of Guinea is registering increasing piracy activities, the use of the region as transit point for the transfer of cocaine and other harmful substances and other emerging threats. Aligned to this is the insecurity in some of the countries in the region and the likely spillover effects if the security agencies are unable to cope. The way forward is to engage all actors, design early warning systems and ensure that safety and security of personnel and installations of oil companies, safety of communities and engagement with fishermen who claim their fishing grounds have been taken over. More importantly, Ghana would need to develop excellent relations between the various security sector institutions and local communities for effective response to emergencies should they occur.
