Understanding The Role of The Parliamentary Committee On Mines And Energy

In Ghana, the 18 member Parliamentary Select Committee on Mines nd Energyhas  oversight responsibility over Ministry of Petroleum and the Ghana National Petroleum Commission. The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Mines and Energy Hon. Kwabena Donkor (Dr) and Hon. Kobina Tahir Hammond, MP for Adansi Asokwa Constituency is the ranking member.

As part of its mandates, the Committee:

1. a) reports to Parliaments on the extractives value chain, including the decision to extract oil, license, award contracts and contract reviews.
2. b) develops fiscal terms and legal frameworks to ensure proper use of revenues from the extractive industries
3. c) conducts oversight, representative and lawmaking functions in relation to extractive industries more effectively by building the capacity of MPs.

(d) inputs into laws and policies in relation to the ex the extractive resources (petroleum and minerals) for the public good;

(e) builds effective collaborations with civil society actors in Ghana in order to channel the views of public to government.

So far, the Committee presented a bill on exploration and production bill in 2014, which has been withdrawn with a new one expected to be introduced.

By: David Aduhene Tanoh-www.reportingoilandgas.com