The Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) has elected Richard Ellimah, a Natural Resource Governance Analyst and Community Activist, as its new Chair, entrusting him with a one-year mandate to oversee transparency in the management of Ghana’s petroleum revenues.
Mr. Ellimah, who represents Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) on PIAC, was elected by members of the Committee on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. He takes over from outgoing Chair Constantine K. M. Kudzedzi, Esq.
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Mr. Ellimah expressed gratitude to members, in his acceptance remarks, for the confidence placed in him and pledged to consolidate the progress made in PIAC’s monitoring and reporting work.
“I am deeply honoured by the trust reposed in me. I will build on the strong foundation laid by my predecessors to ensure PIAC continues to promote transparency and accountability in the management and use of petroleum revenues,” he said.
With nearly two decades of experience in Ghana’s natural resource governance space, Mr. Ellimah brings a strong background in community activism, development planning, and civil society engagement.
Meanwhile, 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 for a one-year term. He succeeds Odeefuo Amoakwa Boadu VIII.
Ahead of the election, on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, the Coordinating Director (Technical) at the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Samuel Arkhurst, swore in five new members of PIAC on behalf of the Minister. The newly sworn-in members 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
PIAC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that petroleum revenue is managed prudently and in accordance with the Petroleum Revenue Management Act (PRMA), 2011 (Act 815).
About PIAC
Established under Section 51 of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act (PRMA), 2011, PIAC is mandated to monitor, evaluate, and report on the use and management of Ghana’s petroleum revenues. The Committee was inaugurated on September 15, 2011, and continues to play a key role in promoting accountability within the extractive sector.