Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, said he had prepared a roadmap to expand the Tema Oil Refinery’s (TOR) processing capacity to 100,000 barrels per day, following a directive from President John Dramani Mahama.
Mahama, speaking on Saturday at the commissioning of the refinery’s refurbished Crude Distillation Unit, said he had directed the energy ministry to work with TOR’s management to prepare a comprehensive plan to expand the refinery from its original processing capacity of 45,000 barrels per day to 100,000 barrels per day.
In a Facebook post later on Saturday, Jinapor said he would present the roadmap in line with the president’s directive.
“In accordance with the directive of President John Dramani Mahama, I have prepared and will present a comprehensive roadmap for expanding TOR’s refining capacity to 100,000 barrels per day,” Jinapor wrote.
“This will enable us to refine more of Ghana’s crude oil locally, meet a greater share of domestic demand, create jobs, add value to our natural resources and strengthen Ghana’s position as a petroleum hub for the sub-region,” he said.
TOR had not processed crude oil for more than six years and instead generated revenue by storing refined petroleum products for customers.
The state-owned refinery had accumulated significant debt while much of its critical equipment deteriorated.
After taking office in 2025, the current management, led by Managing Director Edmond Kombat, began rehabilitating the refinery’s facilities.
The refinery is currently processing about 28,000 barrels per stream day, while work continues on other units to restore its original capacity of 45,000 barrels per stream day.
Jinapor said the refinery’s revival marked an important step in the government’s efforts to revitalise Ghana’s energy sector.
“When we assumed office, this strategic national asset had been placed under a private operating arrangement that did not deliver the intended outcomes, leaving the refinery’s core operations largely dormant,” he said.
“Today, we have restored TOR to its rightful place as a key pillar of Ghana’s energy security and industrial transformation.”
He said restoring the refinery would help rebuild investor confidence, increase domestic refining of Ghana’s crude oil, reduce reliance on imported refined petroleum products and support the government’s economic agenda.
Jinapor also commended Kombat, the refinery’s board, management and staff for their role in bringing the facility back into operation.
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