Ghana’s Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has named Edmond Kombat Esq., managing director of state-owned Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), its Energy Sector Recovery Programme Champion of the Year for 2026.
The recognition was conferred at the ministry’s annual retreat at Volta Serene in the Volta Region. The retreat brings together energy sector leaders to review achievements and challenges and set priorities for the coming year.
Under Kombat’s leadership, TOR returned to profitability, recording a profit before tax of GH¢1.24 billion in 2025.
Before he took office in 2025, the refinery had been largely idle for more than six years and faced significant debt.
Kombat and his team undertook a major rehabilitation programme, enabling the refinery to resume crude processing in late December 2025.
TOR currently processes about 28,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Work is underway to restore its second processing unit, which would return the refinery to its original capacity of 45,000 barrels per stream day. Management plans to increase capacity further to 85,000 barrels per day in the short to medium term, with a long-term target of 200,000 barrels per day.
The ministry recognised Kombat for his role in the refinery’s recovery.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Kombat thanked President John Dramani Mahama for what he described as his visionary leadership and commitment to revitalising Ghana’s energy sector.
He also thanked Energy and Green Transition Minister John Abdulai Jinapor and the ministry’s leadership and staff for their guidance and support, and commended TOR’s board, management and employees.
“This recognition is a testament to our collective commitment, sacrifice, resilience, and determination to restore TOR to its rightful place as a strategic national asset,” Kombat said.
He said the completion of critical maintenance work and the resumption of crude refining reflected the dedication of the refinery’s team.
“As we reflect on 2026 and prepare for 2027, this honour serves not only as a moment of celebration but also as a renewed call to duty,” he said.
Kombat said the award would encourage the team to improve operational performance, strengthen Ghana’s energy security and contribute to economic growth.
“At TOR, we recognise that the work is not finished. The journey towards a stronger, more efficient, commercially sustainable, and globally competitive refinery continues,” he said.
“I dedicate this recognition to every member of the TOR family and all stakeholders who believe in the vision of a revitalised Tema Oil Refinery.”
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