President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, to collaborate with the Board and management of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) to develop a comprehensive expansion strategy that will increase the refinery’s production capacity to 100,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
The directive was announced during the commissioning of the refurbished Tema Oil Refinery at the Tema Industrial Enclave on Saturday, August 1, as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen Ghana’s energy sector, boost petroleum production, and enhance the country’s industrial growth.
President Mahama reaffirmed the government’s commitment to modernising the state-owned refinery, revealing plans to restructure TOR to improve operational efficiency and eliminate political interference in its management. He noted that the initiative aligns with the government’s broader economic transformation agenda.
The commissioning ceremony also celebrated a major milestone, with TOR successfully processing one million barrels of locally produced Jubilee Field Medium Sweet Crude oil into refined petroleum products.
According to the President, the rehabilitation of the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), restoration of the Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit (RFCC), installation of the F-61 crude heater, and the return of Boiler No. 8 to operation represent more than technical achievements. He described them as a symbol of renewed confidence in Ghana’s industrial capacity and the nation’s commitment to investing in critical energy infrastructure.
Mahama stressed that the government’s objective extends beyond restoring refinery operations, emphasizing plans to make TOR more competitive, efficient, and commercially sustainable.
He explained that the refinery is expected to become a strategic driver of Ghana’s industrialisation by supporting domestic fuel production, expanding regional petroleum trade, and contributing to Africa’s industrial development.
The President added that Tema Oil Refinery will play a vital role in implementing the government’s 24-Hour Economy policy and the Accelerated Export Development Programme, helping to boost manufacturing, create jobs, strengthen industrial production, and improve Ghana’s competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
President Mahama welcomed confirmation from TOR Managing Director Edmond Kombat that the refinery has already commenced 24-hour operations, positioning it to meet increasing demand.
He further announced that businesses operating around the clock will benefit from government incentives, including tax breaks, reduced energy tariffs, and tax- and duty-free imports of capital equipment for plant expansion and the installation of new industrial facilities.
Looking ahead, the President outlined an ambitious vision to transform Ghana into West Africa’s leading petroleum refining, storage, and logistics hub, adding value to the country’s natural resources, strengthening energy security, creating employment opportunities, and driving long-term industrial and economic growth.
As part of the expansion programme, the government also plans to upgrade TOR’s Single Buoy Mooring (SBM) system to improve the efficiency of receiving and offloading crude oil and petroleum products, further enhancing the refinery’s operational capacity.
Source: newsthemegh.com