14 Years of Oil Production: Most Ghanaians Say Oil Is Neither Blessing Nor Curse
A University of Ghana Business School study (2011–2023) shows 53% of Ghanaians believe oil production has been “neither a blessing nor a curse”, while only 21.6% see it as a blessing and 10% consider it a curse. Additionally: 58.8% said oil revenue hasn’t reduced regional inequalities. 46% said it hasn’t helped alleviate poverty. Oil Revenue, Limited Impact From 2011 to 2024, Ghana earned over US$11.2 billion in oil revenue, with GH¢27.5 billion channeled through the Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA) for national projects. However, the research highlights: Fragmented spending—e.g., road projects funded with under GH¢3,000—offering little public value. Regional disparities, with Greater Accra receiving ~50% of health and road funding despite only 17% of the population, while Upper East, Upper West, Northern, and Volta regions were underfunded. Academic Framing: Resource Curse or Resilience? Scholars note that Ghana’s oil experience defies simple labels—resources […]
