Shama, a fishing town in the Western Region, is putting in place modalities to prevent encroachment as a result of the oil find in the Region.

The Shama District Assembly (SDA) in collaboration with the “Hen Mpoano Initiative” and assistance from the major operators of the Jubilee Partners, is therefore developing a spatial plan for the entire district.

Mr. Habib Mohammed, Development/Planning Officer of the Shama Assembly, said this at a forum on “Ghana Petroleum Sector Governance Framework”, held in Takoradi.

The meeting was organized by the Civil Society Platform on Oil/Gas, in collaboration with Friends of the Nation, a local NGO on the environment; for stakeholders to deliberate on the management of the oil sector.

It was held on the theme, “Promoting Public Consensus for Improved Accountability in the Management of Ghana’s Petroleum Resources and Revenue”.

Mr. Mohammed said mindful of the scramble for land and accommodation by investors in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis as a result of the oil discovery in the Western Region, “The Shama District Assembly is taking steps to ensure that the lands do not go the wrong hands.”

“The likelihood that there would be a spillover of land acquisition from the adjoining District is very high, therefore, we are preparing against eventualities,” he said.

The Development/Planning Officer said the assembly is therefore embarking on a house to house discussion to engage the youth, aged and opinion leaders, on what should be done to secure the land for both current and future developments.

The assembly is backing its efforts with the passing of bye-laws on the land use so that the oil find in the Region would become a blessing rather than curse to the District.**