The Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC) is urging Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the country’s energy sector to rally behind the corporation to help bring the Petroleum Hub project to fruition.
Chief Executive Officer of PHDC, Dr. Toni Aubynn, made the call on Thursday during a strategic engagement with CSOs at the Fiesta Royale Hotel in Accra. The meeting brought together representatives from over 25 CSOs who engaged extensively with PHDC management, led by Dr. Aubynn.
Dr. Aubynn noted that the voices of CSOs are critical to the success of the Petroleum Hub project, given their extensive knowledge and experience in the extractive sector.
“We need your support. Your ideas can help, and that is why we have hosted you here,” he said.
The primary objective of the engagement was to deepen the CSOs’ understanding and appreciation of the Petroleum Hub project’s strategic role in strengthening Ghana’s energy security, generating sustainable job opportunities, and advancing the country’s industrialisation agenda.
The session also served as a foundational platform for PHDC and the CSOs to embark on a structured, long-term partnership that will enable both parties to engage frequently and constructively in support of the project’s success.
Drawing on decades of experience in Ghana’s extractive and related sectors, Dr. Aubynn highlighted the paramount importance of extensive stakeholder engagement for projects of this magnitude.
“We at PHDC firmly believe that no major national infrastructure project can succeed without public trust, transparency, and continuous dialogue with the communities it serves. Your presence here today is something we value deeply,” he stated.
“As a leader with over two decades of experience in the extractive sector, one lesson stands out: projects do not fail due to engineering or financing challenges alone. They fail when communities are not heard, when stakeholders are excluded, when social and environmental concerns are sidelined, and when policy decisions diverge from the core pillars of sustainable development,” parts of his speech read.
Dr. Aubynn further acknowledged the vital role of CSOs as a bridge between the Corporation, government, and communities, particularly those in the Jomoro area, where the project is slated for development.
“Civil Society Organizations play a pivotal role in national development. Positioned between policy formulation and the people, you amplify community voices, scrutinise public projects, and ensure development delivers tangible human outcomes—protecting livelihoods, promoting equity, and safeguarding the environment,” he added.
The engagement also allowed PHDC management to comprehensively address a wide range of questions and concerns raised by the CSOs, including issues related to land use, environmental protection, community livelihoods, governance transparency, and long-term socio-economic impacts.
The participating CSOs commended PHDC’s leadership for the open and inclusive dialogue, noting that the session had significantly enriched their understanding of the project, strengthened their capacity to contribute meaningfully, and enhanced their appreciation of their role in advancing this transformative initiative for Ghana’s energy sector.
The Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC) was established under the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation Act, 2020 (Act 1053), to lead the development of a world-class petroleum and petrochemical hub in Ghana.
The hub is expected to host state-of-the-art refineries, petrochemical plants, storage tanks, jetties, and water treatment facilities to serve the energy needs of the West African sub-region and the broader African continent.
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