The Public Interest and Accountability Commit­tee (PIAC) has urged the government to take decisive steps to revive Ghana's struggling upstream petroleum sector.Amid a five-year decline in crude oil production and difficulties in at­tracting investment, PIAC's 2024 an­nual report highlighted key areas for reform, including enhanced revenue management, regulatory improve­ments, and infrastructure expansion.At a public engagement in Kumasi, a member of the Committee, Richard Ellimah, in a presentation, stressed the need for greater investments in upstream operations and called on Parliament to ensure that the Ministry of Energy and its allied agencies prioritise this effort.Additionally, PIAC insisted that proceeds from Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Explorco's oil liftings be paid into the Petroleum Holding Fund, reinforcing the importance of effective revenue management.The committee further advocated for stronger inter-agency collabora­tion-particularly among the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Petroleum Commission, and the Bank of Gha­na-to recover outstanding surface rental arrears.To boost energy security and attract investors, PIAC recommended the expansion of gas infrastructure to accommodate higher raw gas capacity.Transparency remains a top concern, prompting PIAC to advise Parliament to establish specific programmes before selecting priority areas for petroleum revenue alloca­tion.The committee also warned against the rising costs associated with GN­PC's operations on the TEN Field, urging closer government scrutiny.Additionally, PIAC suggested insulating GNPC and GNPC Ex­plorco from government-imposed financial obligations, including loans and guarantees for infrastructure projects.Despite the industry's difficulties, recent developments offer a positive outlook.

The operationalisation of the onshore petroleum exploration and production policy is expected to stimulate sector activity and attract new investments.The ongoing review of the Pe­troleum Revenue Management Act (PRMA) and Act 919 will further refine regulatory frameworks to create a more competitive oil and gas industry.If these measures are effectively implemented, the Committee said "Ghana will reinforce its position in the global energy market and maximise its petroleum resources for sustainable economic growth." FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE, KUMASI