Ghana: Energy Minister Visits TOR, GRIDCo; Charges Leadership Of Both Organizations To Restore Financial Health And Sustainability

Ghana’s Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, has emphasized the critical role of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) in the country’s energy security and industrial development.

He therefore charged the leadership of both organizations to work diligently to restore their financial health and ensure long-term sustainability.

During a recent working visit to both institutions, the Minister highlighted progress made so far but expressed concern over persistent challenges and outlined plans for revitalization.

At TOR, Hon. Jinapor toured ongoing turnaround maintenance works to assess the refinery’s current status.

Hon. Jinapor, who is also the Member of Parliament for Yapei Kusawgu, reaffirmed TOR’s strategic importance to Ghana’s energy security and industrial growth but expressed deep concern about the leadership instability that has repeatedly stalled the facility’s progress.

Acknowledging notable advancements in the past nine months since the assumption of office of new management under the Mahama administration, he encouraged the management team, led by Mr. Edmond Kombat (Esq.), to sustain their momentum and develop innovative, sustainable strategies to enhance the refinery’s operational efficiency and resilience.

Hon. Jinapor revealed that the previous administration had secretly handed over TOR to a private company for $22 million in a non-transparent transaction, which is now under legal scrutiny by the Attorney-General.

Beyond facility improvements, he announced plans to coordinate with the Minister for Roads and Highways to upgrade access roads within the Tema industrial enclave — a vital move aimed at improving logistical efficiency and overall operations.

Turning to GRIDCo, the Minister voiced concern about the company’s deteriorating financial health. Once a financially robust and self-sufficient entity capable of handling major infrastructure projects, GRIDCo now faces serious challenges that threaten its operational stability.

Hon. Jinapor tasked the company’s management to take bold and decisive steps to restore GRIDCo’s financial footing and technical strength.

Stressing GRIDCo’s crucial role in ensuring the reliability of Ghana’s electricity transmission system and supporting the government’s 24-hour economy initiative, he called for renewed focus on strengthening governance and driving innovation across the energy sector.

These visits align with the broader government agenda, under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, to modernize Ghana’s energy institutions, enhance governance standards, and secure a resilient, future-ready energy sector.

Source: https://energynewsafrica.com