Two religious bodies have expressed worry about the high expectations of Ghanaians from the oil and gas industry and stressed the need for measures to manage them. The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) and the Ghana Pentecostal Council (GPC) said some of the demands and expectations “are not only astronomical and unrealistic, but just wishful thinking". 'They attributed the perception to the lack of education and awareness. "People are scrambling for lands, fighting for jobs and demanding quick money into their pockets. They think that the oil and gas will soon take them out of poverty," Dr. Fred Deegbe, General Secretary of the CCG observed. Answering questions at a media briefing on oil and gas in Accra yesterday, he said if such expectations were not managed, they could derail the country's effort to develop the industry. "Oil find is not an end to poverty and the monies will nott come quickly as expected," he said. Rev. Deegbe advocated the setting up of an independent national body to monitor the funds accruing from the production of oil and gas to ensure their judicious use. The body should also manage the expectations of Ghanaians and avoid the situation where people can demand unrealistic compensations and other resources from government. Rev Deegbe commended the government for showing commitment to developing the oil and gas resources for the maximum benefit of all through the demonstration of transparency and accountability. Rev. Deegbe said the government adopted more than 90 per cent of the recommendations made by the Civil Society Organisations’ platform which had been captured in the oil and gas bill. He acknowledged the immense contribution of the civil society towards the effective management of the emerging industry. Rev. Deegbe said the CCG and GPC had formed a coalition, under the sponsorship of the Ghana Research and Advocacy Programme to contribute to the development of the oil and gas industry. The objective of the coalition, he said was to create awareness among churches and social leaders, to enhance their knowledge on the benefits and effects of oil and gas production. "We believe that knowledge of the industry and its effects on the human condition will help in managing the overly high expectation of some Ghanaians," he said. Apostle Samuel Yaw Antwi, General Secretary of the GPC, said the coalition would sensitise some communities in the Western Region to be abreast of issues pertaining to the oil and gas industry. He said it was important for the church to contribute meaningfully towards the management of the resources accruing from the industry. Source: Ghanaian Times