The commissioning ceremony at the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) marked the full return of Ghana’s only state-owned refinery to operation without any financial support from the Government of Ghana. Held in Tema on Saturday, the event also celebrated the successful processing of one million barrels of crude from the Jubilee Field into refined petroleum products, marking a key milestone in the refinery’s recovery.
Speaking at the event, President John Mahama said the rehabilitation of the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), the restoration of the Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit (RFCC), the installation of the new F-61 crude heater and the recommissioning of Boiler Number Eight represent more than technical upgrades. He said the projects reflect renewed confidence in Ghana’s industrial capabilities and demonstrate the country’s commitment to investing in critical infrastructure.
Mahama said every investment in the refinery strengthens Ghana’s resilience and reduces its dependence on imported petroleum products by expanding local refining capacity.
He also said TOR’s revival fulfils the vision of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who established the refinery in 1963 under the name Ghana Italian Petroleum Company (GHAIP).
The President explained that Ghana acquired full ownership of the refinery in 1977 after initially operating it under a joint arrangement. He noted that while TOR has experienced periods of success and decline over the years, it has remained an important national asset.
Mahama said TOR’s turnaround challenges the belief that state-owned enterprises cannot operate efficiently without privatisation. He revealed that the refinery narrowly avoided being leased to a private operator for 15 years under a proposed US$22 million deal by the previous administration. He credited the board, management, employees and strategic partners for reversing the refinery’s fortunes.
He stressed that TOR achieved the recovery without receiving any financial bailout from the government. According to him, the refinery funded its own turnaround, proving that determined leadership and an efficient workforce can restore public enterprises.
Mahama commended Energy and Green Transition Minister Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, TOR Board Chairman Nayon Bilijo, Managing Director Edmond Kombat and the refinery’s workforce for their contribution to the achievement.
He described the commissioning as a celebration of Ghana’s commitment to rebuilding strategic national assets instead of allowing them to decline. He said the country has the resources, expertise and determination to transform its natural wealth into long-term prosperity.
The President added that every generation faces important decisions, and his administration chose to restore struggling institutions rather than abandon them. He said rebuilding public assets strengthens confidence, creates hope and prepares them to serve future generations.
Mahama said Ghana’s long-term economic growth depends on adding value to its natural resources through industrialisation and domestic production. He noted that this remains the same vision that inspired the establishment of TOR more than six decades ago.
He reiterated that the refinery’s recovery was achieved without government funding. Since May, TOR has received three separate one-million-barrel shipments of Bonga Crude, Baleine Crude and Ghana’s Jubilee Medium Sweet Crude to support domestic refining.
Mahama also said TOR paid in full for the Jubilee crude rather than receiving it on credit. He said the purchase reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring Ghana’s petroleum resources create more value within the country.
In his welcome address, TOR Managing Director Edmond Kombat said the refinery’s return to operation represents a complete transformation rather than a series of isolated achievements. He highlighted the completion of outstanding unaudited financial accounts covering 2019 to 2025, the successful processing of Ghanaian crude oil and the restoration of refining activities as major milestones.
Kombat said these achievements have restored confidence in TOR’s operational performance and positioned the refinery to play a stronger role in improving Ghana’s energy security and supporting industrial development.
source:modernghana.com
African Energy Council