GOVT WITHDREW THE HYBRID BILL‏

Andy Kwawukume

June 06, 2016

Greetings everyone,

The news below, rather than make me jump with joy, left me cold. After all, that's partly what the FTOS-GH Campaign has been devoting much time and resources to achieve. The other part is to adopt the Production Sharing Agreement system. Is that in the new Bill?

What are they really up to with such an excuse for withdrawing a Bill that took many years to shape and replace it with another reportedly cooked up in response to current devts in the downstream oil sector?

Why were they trying to hastily pass the old one before Parliament went on recess?

Clearly, we are faced with a muddling through decision process, with something drawn from the garbage can again to hoodwink us; but with certainty on the part of some of us that they don't really know what they are doing. And we are more determined than ever that we shall not keep quiet and allow them to sell us down the river for the pittance they are receiving from the FOCs and the DFID.

The total lack of transparency with which they are handling this, and the subservient acquiescence of the generality of the educated Ghana elite are simply mind-boggling! Only a very few are concerned enough to lend at least their moral support in this patriotic duty to win Ghana billions of dollars per year, and thereby put us on the path of economic independence. I guess most think this is just a pipe-dream not worth wasting their time on.

In Uganda, public outcry at getting a "mere" 60% in their PSA with Tullow forced an incremental 1+% jump. Ghanaians seem to be satisfied receiving 17% so far, and signing new agreements handing over oil blocks on same illegal, detrimental terms not backed by any law. Pathetic!

We shall therefore press on with plans to proceed to the Supreme Court. We need financial support, but above all, a team of dedicated lawyer volunteers to work on pro bono basis with the FTOS-Gh Campaign.

Andy-K