Takoradi, Nov. 15, GNA - Nana Yamfoah Amua-Sekyi, Western Regional Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, noted at the weekend that the country's oil and gas find would diversify the economy, create jobs and prosperity.

She said the discovery would also improve Ghana's international trade balance, foreign exchange receipt and global standing. Nana Amua-Sekyi made the observation when she delivered a paper on "The Impact of the Oil and Gas Find on Human Rights", at a day's seminar organised by the School of Applied Arts to commemorate the second open- day celebration of the academic facility in Takoradi. It was on the theme: " The Emerging Oil and Gas Industry :The Impact of Human Rights on the Socio-Economic Development of Ghana." She said drilling of oil and gas polluted the environment in various ways, which led to climate change.

Nana Amua-Sekyi said environmental pollution could deny the people their right to work or livelihood and lead to human right abuses. She observed that the noise produce by equipment and machinery at the onshore oil rig leads to sound pollution, which could cause health problems. Nana Amua-Sekyi said the people were also likely to be exposed to the danger of oil spillage, which could result in soil and water pollution. She said according to the policy framework of the government, a three pillar approach has been proposed to manage the oil industry. The pillars are transparency, environment and local content. She called for legal structures and institutions to ensure effective and efficient use of the principles.

Nana Amua-Sekyi said it was important for government to strengthen public and civil society groups to make sure that oil revenue was shared equitably.

She said the public should ensure that the oil and gas discovery brought the reduction of poverty.