A political scientist at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology says Ghana’s two living former Heads of State have no excuse to stay away from the ceremony to commence oil production Wednesday. Kwasi Amakye Boateng says only ill-health can justify a decision by either ex-Presidents Rawlings or Kufuor to absent themselves from the historic event. Media reports quoting government sources indicate the two are among high profile personalities invited to the official pouring of Ghana’s first oil at the Jubilee Fields, near Cape Three Points in the Western Region. Presidents Rawlings and Kufuor are expected to be airlifted from Accra to the site of the giant oil drilling machine, FPSO Kwame Nkrumah. Mr. Amakye believes the event marks a new era of the nation’s development from which no-one can exclude themselves. Oil exploration dates back to pre and post-independence era. While Mr. Rawlings is credited with setting up the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) in 1983 to explore for oil, actual discovery was made in 2007 during Mr. Kufuor's regime. The political scientist says the invitation symbolizes advancement of unity and democracy in Ghana. Story by Benjamin Osei Ampofo Adjei/Nhyira FM/Ghana