Linda Ahunu

The sustainable development of oil and gas resources requires policies, principles, and practices that support the utilization of resources in a manner that does not prevent future generations from benefiting from such resources. An overview of transparency initiatives in selected African countries is provided. A panel GMM is applied to estimate the effect of governance indicators and oil revenues on GDP. The study finds that oil revenues enhance economic growth but corruption retards economic growth. It is recommended African countries should build strong governance institutions to minimise or eradicate corruption.

The use of municipal solid waste to generate electricity is becoming a widely accepted concept. Municipal solid wastes provide a clean source of fuel which can be used for power and steam generation. As Ghana sets out to increase its renewable energy component of the electricity generation mix by 10% by 2020, the conversion of municipal solid waste to electricity offers the country a fair opportunity to achieve this target. This paper assesses the potential of municipal solid waste in Ghana for power generation using the mechanical biological treatment process. The mechanical biological treatment presents Ghana with an added advantage of waste sorting, which is an uncommon practice in Ghana. This does not only make it easier to capture the organic component for biogas generation, but also allows the recyclable components of the residual waste to be re-used. The paper finds that the 12.3 million kg of municipal solid waste generated in Ghana daily can produce about 696,140.191MWh every year, representing 3.5% of Ghana’s total electricity demand in 2016 and 1.9% of total installed capacity. Furthermore, for every 200MW of power produced, Ghana can save up to US$5,217,622.64 every month on fuel costs if the country generates power from biogas from municipal solid waste using the mechanical biological treatment process.
Keywords: biogas, biological, electricity, mechanical, municipal, solid, treatment, waste

Environmental issues are a major concern for any growing economy, especially amidst growing calls for efficient environmental management systems globally. On the other hand, electricity access is a crucial subject in developing countries, Ghana not excluded. With current posture towards increasing its thermal generation component due to unreliable hydro power supply, there is a high tendency of rising air pollution levels in Ghana as thermal power is generated from fossil fuels. 
Access to a clean, efficient and affordable energy source is an essential for any growing economy. Governments which are committed to achieving sustainable development for their countries require an understanding of the complex interplay between the systems of energy delivery and sustainable environments conducive for human habitation. As Ghana intends to rely more on thermal power within the short to medium term, there are implications for an integrated energy planning system that inculcates environmental sustainability. This requires the development and implementation of sound policies and legal frameworks.
This paper assesses the implications of thermal generation on the environment in Ghana, firstly by drawing a comparative analysis of carbon emissions from thermal generation in some selected developing countries. Secondly, the paper compares secondary sourced data on carbon emission levels with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) standards. Finally, it draws useful lessons for Ghana based on the experience of other countries. The analysis in this paper shows that Ghana’s trend of CO2 emissions from electricity and heat generation far exceeds OSHA’s permissible exposure limit and can be detrimental for human health if this trend continues. The paper recommends that Ghana enacts a Clean Air Act to regulate air emissions and promote high air quality standards. It further recommends that the country diversifies its power generation mix with renewable energy sources.