By Jones Anlimah
The Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) has elected Natural Resource Governance Analyst, Mr. Richard Ellimah, as its new Chair for the 2025/2026 operational year.
Mr. Ellimah, who represents Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) on the Committee, was elected on Wednesday, 12th November 2025. He takes over from Mr. Constantine K. M. Kudzedzi, Esq.
In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Ellimah expressed gratitude to members for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to consolidate the gains made by previous leadership. He reaffirmed PIAC’s commitment to promoting transparency and accountability in the management and use of Ghana’s petroleum revenues.
With nearly two decades of experience in development planning, community activism, and natural resource governance, Mr. Ellimah is widely recognised for his work within Ghana’s extractives sector.
At the same meeting, Mr. Edward Yaw Afriyie, a Biomedical Scientist representing the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), was elected Vice Chairperson. He succeeds Odeefuo Amoakwa Boadu VIII.
Ahead of the elections, the Coordinating Director (Technical) at the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Samuel Arkhurst, administered the oath of office to five newly appointed members of PIAC. They include:
Mr. Christopher Opoku Nyarko – Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GHEITI)
Ms. Sena Dake – Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG), Mr. Zamboanga Rufai Saminu – Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Ms. Veronica Adigbo – Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Nana Soglo Alloh IV – National House of Chiefs
Established under Section 51 of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act (PRMA) 2011, PIAC is mandated to monitor and evaluate compliance with the Act and ensure prudent use of petroleum revenues. The Committee was inaugurated on 15th September 2011.
