Ghana’s petroleum downstream regulator, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has commended Sentuo Oil Refinery for its contributions to the country’s downstream petroleum sector and urged the company to maintain operational excellence.
The Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Mr. Godwin Kudzo Tameklo Esq., gave the commendation during a working visit to the refinery on Monday, January 5, 2026.
“The decision by Sentuo to establish a refinery for me is a game changer. For a long time—over 60 years—we have relied on one major refinery. The work Sentuo has done over the last six months speaks for itself. What it means for us at the NPA is how we support your activities while ensuring that our regulatory oversight is never compromised.
“As a regulator, we must first ensure that we help protect your investment. Your decision to invest in Ghana requires that we safeguard that investment, and that is very important to us,” Mr. Tameklo said.
The visit formed part of a familiarisation tour of petroleum installations across the country, aimed at strengthening regulatory engagement and supporting growth in the downstream sector.
Sentuo Oil Refinery, a billion-dollar Chinese investment in Ghana, currently supplies the local market with 53,000 tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol; 64,000 tonnes of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly referred to as diesel; and 8,000 metric tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) on a monthly basis.
Additionally, the refinery supplies about 7,000 metric tonnes of Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) to the market each month.
Mr. Tameklo further emphasised the importance of strict regulatory compliance, particularly in areas related to health, safety, and environmental protection.
“Protecting that investment also means we do not compromise on regulatory oversight. What is important to us is ensuring that your facility meets international standards. Issues of health, environment, and safety must be given top priority.
“You have invested heavily, and we will ensure that the investment is worthwhile. However, you must also support us as regulators by ensuring full compliance. These are matters we cannot afford to compromise,” he stated.
On his part, the Group Chairman of Sentuo Oil Refinery, Mr. Ninqguan Xu, expressed appreciation to the NPA for the visit and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to operating within Ghana’s regulatory framework.
“Sentuo Oil Refinery remains fully committed to complying with all labour laws in Ghana and adhering strictly to international health, safety, and environmental standards. We will continue to provide proper working conditions for our staff to enhance efficiency and productivity,” Mr. Xu said.
He further highlighted the company’s focus on local content and capacity building, noting that Sentuo has successfully integrated local staff into its steel operations and plans to replicate the same approach at the refinery.
“We are deliberately integrating and training local staff, including positioning them as intermediaries to address language barriers and ensure that all documentation and processes meet regulatory requirements,” he explained.
Mr. Xu also disclosed plans to partner with relevant institutions to establish a scholarship scheme aimed at training university students to acquire skills in the petroleum sector, as part of Sentuo’s long-term commitment to human capital development.
The working visit underscores the National Petroleum Authority’s commitment to overseeing a well-regulated, competitive, and sustainable downstream petroleum sector by engaging industry players, providing regulatory support, and enforcing compliance to ensure safe operations, investment protection, and long-term growth of Ghana’s petroleum industry.
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