The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST), and the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) will hold a public lecture on petroleum revenue management at the university to mark the committee’s 15th anniversary.

Ahead of the lecture, a PIAC delegation led by Mr. Isaac Dwamena, Executive Secretary of the committee, met with KNUST’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christian Agyare.

Mr. Dwamena thanked the university for its support in hosting the lecture and the Vice-Chancellor for agreeing to chair the event and for the warm reception.

He said PIAC was established under the Petroleum Revenue Management Act to provide additional oversight of the management and use of petroleum revenues. Since 2011, the committee has worked to promote public awareness and accountability in the use of the country’s petroleum resources, he said.

He said the 15th anniversary offered an opportunity to review how about $12 billion in petroleum revenues had been used and consider how future revenues could support national development.

The lecture is being organised with the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences and KNUST’s Department of Petroleum Engineering, building on previous engagements between PIAC and the department on developments in the oil and gas industry.

Professor Agyare commended PIAC for monitoring petroleum revenue management and said the country’s natural resource wealth should benefit future generations.

“At least we have a body that is monitoring, making sure that we don't overdo things. Especially when the funds are coming in with a view that this is not safe forever,” he said.

He thanked the committee for bringing the programme to KNUST and said the university would encourage staff and students to participate.

The Vice-Chancellor reaffirmed the university’s willingness to support the initiative and welcomed the delegation on behalf of the Chancellor, university management, staff and students.

Story: Belinda Opoku Danso  Photos: Alex Tovor Tamakloe