OILSPILL RESPONSE ON THE WESTERN REGION OF GHANA: ENVIRONMENTAL MANEGEMENT PROBLEMS

The research project attempted to investigate, examine, highlight, and understand if prevention of oil spill is better than cure (in management system terms with regards to two oil companies), to ascertain whether improving maintenance and control of facilities goes a long way to reduce the cost of managing oil and gas spillage while evaluating the post spill impacts on the western regional people of Ghana.This research study was a combination of both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Personal interviews, Observation and Report reviewing were the qualitative research methods that were employed in collecting data. In addition, Questionnaires were the primary quantitative instrument employed in collecting data from the forty five (45) subjects chosen by the researcher for the study.However, after analyzing and interpreting the collected information and literature, the researchers discovered that although the circumstances surrounding a spill incident are complex and unique, the primary cause of oil spillage in the western region is the failures of the oil companies. Corporate culture remains one that is embedded in risk-taking and cost-cutting. Perhaps there is no clear-cut “evidence” that someone in these companies or in the well- project makes a conscious decision to put costs before safety.

oil spill, economic and ecological damage, monitoring and control, polluter pay principle