One of Ghana’s popular clergymen, the Rev. Mensa Otabil, Head Pastor of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) says for many years he had prayed that Ghana would never find oil. Because he believes that won’t help the country develop the work ethic required to develop a productive society.

Rev. Otabil who also established one of Ghana’s attractive universities, the Central University College told the Financial Times of London that people would become more corrupt when the country finds oil because there will be no barriers.

“For years I prayed we would never find oil. I don’t think it will help us to develop the work ethic we need to structure a viable, productive society. I think people would most likely become very corrupt because there are no barriers,” he told the publication.

Pastor Otabil was quoted saying “I don’t care what America wants and what China wants. I care about what Ghana wants. Because what is going to keep us centered is our values and what we consider is in our best interest. That is what will ground us when this push and shove escalates.”

He indicated according to the publication that he believes one of the best uses of oil revenues would be to give the state the backbone to be a stronger and fairer ar biter of Ghana’s future by investing in the police and judiciary. Yet that will be only one of many competing claims as the pot of petrodollars grows.

Ghana discovered oil in commercial quantities in June 2007 and commercial production began on December 15, 2010.

The country’s Jubilee Oil field has been noted as the largest oil field to be discovered in Africa in the last 10 to 15 years.

In February 2011 Tullow Oil, the major stakeholder in Ghana’s oil sector announced the discovery of oil in its Teak-1 exploration well in the West Cape Three Points license offshore Ghana.

Already, industry watchers are touting the Teak-1 well as another significant find.

Tullow Oil’s Exploration Director, Angus McCoss, said about the Teak-1 well, “Success in all five of the targeted reservoirs, encountering 73 metres of total net pay, is an excellent outcome for the Teak-1 well and a great start to our 2011 multi-well exploration campaign in the West Cape Three Points licence.”