Tema: As part of efforts to make Ghana a major petroleum refining hub in West Africa, President John Dramani Mahama has instructed the Minister for Energy and Green Transition and the management of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) to prepare a strategic plan to expand the refinery's capacity to 100,000 barrels per day.
According to Ghana Web, the President gave the directive on August 1, 2026, during the commissioning of TOR's refurbished facilities at the Tema Industrial Area. He stated that the government's goal is to transform TOR into a modern, efficient, and competitive refinery capable of supporting Ghana's industrial growth. The expansion plan is part of efforts to make TOR financially sustainable and reduce political interference in its operations through appropriate reforms.
The commissioning also marked the processing of one million barrels of locally produced Jubilee crude oil into finished petroleum products, which the President described as a significant milestone for Ghana's domestic refining industry. He emphasized that the rehabilitation of key facilities, including the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit (RFCC), the new F-61 crude heater, and Boiler No. 8, demonstrates Ghana's commitment to restoring critical national assets.
President Mahama underscored that the work undertaken at TOR is not only about repairing infrastructure but also about rebuilding confidence in Ghana's industrial capacity. 'Our vision for Tema Oil Refinery extends far beyond the successful refurbishment of these facilities. We do not intend merely to keep TOR operating. We intend to make it more competitive. We intend to make it efficient and commercially viable,' he said.
He added that TOR will support the government's 24-Hour Economy initiative and the Accelerated Export Development Programme by supplying fuel to industries, creating jobs, and strengthening Ghana's position under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The President also welcomed confirmation from TOR Managing Director Edmond Kombat that the refinery is now operating 24 hours a day and said businesses that operate round the clock will receive government incentives. These incentives will include tax benefits, lower energy tariffs, and duty-free access for selected equipment imported for factory expansion and new industrial projects.
Aggressive austerity measures could pose challenges, but the President said Ghana's long-term vision is to position the country as West Africa's leading petroleum refining, storage, and logistics hub. He further announced plans to expand TOR's Single Buoy Mooring (SBM) system to enable the refinery to receive crude oil and petroleum products more efficiently as its operations expand.