Ghana: Energy Ministry Inaugurates Petroluem Hub Implementation Committee

Ghana’s Ministry of Energy has inaugurated the Petroluem Hub Implementation Committee to commence the coordination of all activities regarding the implementation and operation of the West African nation’s Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC).

The Committee is to be the focal point of all the activities regarding the realization of the Petroleum Hub dream.

Mr. Lawrence Apaalse, Chief Director of the Ministry of Energy, who spoke on behalf of the Sector Minister, John-Peter Amewu, explained that it had been the goal of the Ministry, under the leadership of the President to make Ghana a regional hub of refined petroleum products and petrochemicals hence, the development of a Master Plan toward the realization of this vision in 2018 by the Ministry.

“The Corporation will have the capacity and mandate to engage with prospective stakeholders and developers concerned with the hub”, he noted.

He further intimated that per the institutional arrangements proposed in the Master Plan, a Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC) is to be established by statute to coordinate all activities during implementation and operation of the Hub.

“The PHDC will have the mandate and capacity to engage with prospective developers and all stakeholders concerned with the hub”, he noted.

According to the Chief Director, the rationale for the formation of the Committee is that “in the absence of the PHDC, the Ministry has coordinated initial implementation activities thus far.

Start of Phase 1 implementation requires a dedicated team in place to properly coordinate activities, promote the project, engage prospective investors, review reports, plans and proposals, and ensure that implementation is done per the Master Plan in a cost-effective manner that provides value for money.

Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, Deputy Energy Minister in charge of Petroleum, expounded that the role of the Committee is therefore crucial as it is expected to carefully carry out the roles of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation until the Corporation is fully operational.

Members of the Committee are as follows:

1. Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, Deputy Minister for Energy in charge of Petroleum (Co-Chair)

2. Hon. Joseph Cudjoe- Deputy Minister in charge of Finance and Infrastructure (Co-Chair)

3. Hon. Adu Boahen- Deputy Minister of Finance (Co-Chair)

4. Mr Jacob Amuah- Director of National Petroleum Authority

5. Mrs Anita Lokko- Director (Legal-MoEN)

6. Dr Eric Yeboah- Technical Advisor to the Senior Minister

7. Mr.Ali Nuhu Abeka- Acting Director(Petroleum Downstream)

8. Nana Kofi Oppong Damoah-Head (Communications and Public Affairs MoEN)

9. Mr Joseph Yankson- Legal Advisor (MoEN)

10. Charles Owusu- Advisor (Ministry of Finance)

11. Mr. Obed Kraine Boachie-Head (PD Marketing and Distribution Unit-MoEN)

12. Mrs Nancy Ayiku Botchwey- Administrative Officer (MoEN)