President John Dramani Mahama has officially commissioned the refurbished Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) at the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), marking the refinery’s return to full-scale operations and reinforcing Ghana’s drive to strengthen its energy sector and reduce reliance on imported petroleum products.
The commissioning ceremony, held on Saturday, August 1, also celebrated the successful refining of one million barrels of locally produced Jubilee Field Medium Sweet crude oil into finished petroleum products, signalling a new chapter in the operations of the state-owned refinery.
Speaking at the event, President Mahama described the achievement as a significant milestone for Ghana’s industrial development, saying it reflects the country’s commitment to expanding local refining capacity, creating value from domestic crude oil resources, and supporting long-term economic growth.
He highlighted key rehabilitation works, including the restoration of the Crude Distillation Unit, the reactivation of the Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit, the installation of a new F-61 crude heater, and the return of Boiler Number Eight to full service.
According to the President, these infrastructure upgrades represent more than technical improvements. He said they demonstrate renewed confidence in Ghana’s industrial capabilities and underscore the government’s commitment to investing in critical infrastructure that will strengthen the petroleum industry, improve energy security, and deliver lasting benefits for future generations.
The reopening of the upgraded Tema Oil Refinery is expected to enhance domestic fuel production, support the Ghana economy, and reduce the country’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
“Every investment made here strengthens our national resilience. Every improvement in refining capacity reduces our dependence on imported petroleum products,” the President stated.
President John Dramani Mahama stated that the return of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) to full production fulfills the vision of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who established the refinery in 1963 to promote industrialisation, strengthen energy security, and support national economic development.
According to President Mahama, although the state-owned refinery has experienced both growth and operational challenges over the years, its successful revival demonstrates that state-owned enterprises can perform efficiently when supported by strong leadership, effective management, and strategic investment.
“But today, to the glory of God, a determined management and board, together with dedicated workers and strategic partners, have turned the fortunes of this refinery around,” he said.
He said the refinery’s renewed operations challenge the long-held belief that public enterprises can only succeed through privatisation, describing TOR’s recovery as evidence that government-owned institutions can remain competitive and sustainable.
President Mahama also alleged that the previous administration had planned to lease the refinery to a private operator for 15 years in a deal valued at 22 million dollars. However, he credited the determination and commitment of Tema Oil Refinery workers with preventing the proposed arrangement.
“TOR has achieved all this on its own. The Government of Ghana has not put a single cedi into this rebound,” he stated.
The President further emphasised that the refinery’s operational turnaround was achieved without a government financial bailout, describing the accomplishment as a significant milestone for Ghana’s petroleum industry, energy sector, and broader economic growth agenda.
Source: newsthemegh.com