Transparent for whom? Dissemination of information on Ghana’s petroleum and mining revenue management

This article examines how Ghanaians access information about national and local issues in general and, in particular, how and to what extent they receive information about national and local natural resource revenue management. It also studies how the likelihood of having heard about resource revenue governance depends on individual, household, and geographical characteristics. The article uses descriptive and multivariate analysis based on a unique survey of over 3500 participants from 2016. The study finds that less than 10% of respondents knew how natural resource revenues (NRR) are managed locally, even in areas with mining activity or petroleum production; less than one-third had heard about NRR management in Ghana. Common citizens, those in remote rural areas, and those with limited English skills were least likely to have heard about NRR management, compared to elected duty bearers, traditional authorities, and other opinion leaders. Generally, people have few reliable information sources.