HYDROCARBON ACTIVITY ON GHANA'S CONTINENTAL SHELF: REQUIREMENTS UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to identify and discuss the international environmental law requirements imposed on Ghana with respect to offshore hydrocarbon activity and how Ghana has so far responded to these requirements in its national laws and practices. The study further seeks to ascertain the adequacy of these responses in the light of their legal implications. To achieve this, the international requirements are discussed under various themes; likewise Ghana's responses and the relationship between requirements and responses are identified in subsequent chapters. It was generally discovered that Ghana has made modest gains towards fulfilling its international law obligations for offshore hydrocarbon activity. It was however obvious from the findings that much more needs to be done when it comes to implementation to enable Ghana fully meet the requirements of international environmental law. The study ends by making recommendations in this regard.