The Paramount Chief of the Asokore Prof. SKB Asante is backing calls for compensation for communities directly affected by petroleum exploration. Prof. Asante who is also a business consultant believes this is necessary because those living in such areas are exposed to enormous hazards. His call comes as chiefs in the Western Region demand ten percent of oil revenues. The consultant does not suggest any percent for the chiefs but says government must adequately satisfy people in the region. Prof. Asante spoke to Joy News on the sidelines of the national Constitution Review Conference in Accra. He said despite the fact that conditions in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria differed markedly from that of Ghana, there was still the need for communities around oil exploration areas to be given special attention in terms of development. Prof. Asante said oil companies cannot be relied on to meet the development needs of such communities, emphasizing it was the duty of central government to do this. Source: Joy News/Ghana