Accra, Sept. 12, GNA - Dr Joe Abbey, Executive Director of the Ghana Centre for Policy Analysis, on Friday appealed to Ghanaians to be interested in the country's oil industry, to help make the resource a blessing instead of a curse.

He said: "let's all join in the debate about Ghana's oil exploitation to ensure that we all benefit as Ghanaians." Dr Abbey tasked Government to use revenue that Ghana would be accrued from oil drilling for the collective benefit of all Ghanaians. He was speaking at the Fourth Moderatorial Business Luncheon, organized by the Presbyterian Church of Ghana on the theme: "The Emerging Oil and Gas Industry of Ghana - Prospects and Challenges," in Accra.

The Business Luncheon was instituted by the Presbyterian Church of Ghana as an annual corporate social networking programme. It aims at creating a platform for the church to dialogue with professionals, civil society members, the business community as well policy makers and opinion leaders on topical national issues. Dr Abbey, who is also an Economist, advised Government to use the oil revenue to build the needed infrastructure for the country, pointing out that there was a huge infrastructure and technology gap, affecting domestic productivity.

He called for effective management of oil in the first five years of production to cater for any shocks that may hit the Ghanaian economy should there be fluctuations in production in later years. The Right Reverend Dr. Yaw Frimpong-Manso, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, who hosted the luncheon, reiterated the need for proper utilization of oil revenue. He asked Ministers of the gospel to intensify education on oil exploitation to help reduce the upsurge of immorality that could occur in the sector.

Rev. Dr Frimpong-Manso commended Muslims in Ghana for their successful celebration of the Eid-Ul-Fitr festival, adding that Muslims and Christians in Ghana should be emulated for the cordial relationship existing between them. The Moderator said the church has since the inception of the luncheon in 2007 realized GH¢131, 137.00 for various developmental projects.

The projects, he said, include: the Presbyterian hospitality centre, the Trinity Insurance Brokerage, the production of Salem Mineral water, the Presbyterian real estate limited among other things. Rev. Dr Frimpong-Manso called on individuals, organisations and Government to support the church in its development effort.