President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition and the Board of Management of the Tema Oil Refinery Limited (TOR) to develop a strategic plan to expand the refinery’s processing capacity to 100,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
The directive forms part of government’s broader plan to reposition the state-owned refinery as a strategic industrial asset capable of supporting Ghana’s energy security, manufacturing growth, job creation and regional petroleum trade.
President Mahama said the expansion plan would be accompanied by a comprehensive restructuring of TOR aimed at permanently eliminating political interference and creating a commercially viable institution capable of competing within the petroleum industry.
He made the announcement when he formally commissioned the refurbished Tema Oil Refinery at the Tema Industrial Enclave.
The commissioning ceremony also marked a major milestone in the refinery’s revival — the successful processing of one million barrels of locally produced Jubilee Field Medium Sweet Crude oil into finished petroleum products.
TOR revival goes beyond repairs — Mahama
President Mahama said the rehabilitation of the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), restoration of the Residual Fuel Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit, installation of the new F-61 crude heater, and the return of Boiler Number Eight to service represented more than technical repairs.
According to him, the restoration of TOR demonstrates Ghana’s renewed confidence in its industrial capacity and commitment to investing in infrastructure that serves current and future generations.
“Our vision for Tema Oil Refinery extends far beyond the successful refurbishment of these facilities. We do not intend merely to keep TOR operating; we intend to make it more competitive, more efficient and more commercially viable,” he said.
“Indeed, we intend to position it as a strategic driver of Ghana’s industrial future. That is why today’s ceremony should not be viewed as the end of the restoration programme.”
The President said the refurbishment marks the beginning of a broader national ambition to build an integrated petroleum industry that supports domestic consumption, regional trade and Africa’s industrial transformation.
24-Hour Economy to boost industrial role of TOR
President Mahama said TOR would play a central role in the government’s 24-Hour Economy initiative and the Accelerated Export Development Programme by supporting industrial production, expanding manufacturing capacity and creating quality jobs.
He expressed satisfaction with an announcement by TOR Managing Director, Edmond Kombat, that the refinery was already operating on a 24-hour basis.
The President said government was developing incentives to support enterprises operating multiple shifts, including tax incentives, energy tariff support and duty-free importation of capital goods for plant expansion and installation of new facilities.
“Government is working on the incentives for enterprises that are running 24-hour shifts. We are going to give you incentives in terms of tax breaks, in terms of energy tariffs, but more importantly, when you import capital goods for plant expansion or installation of new plants, we will allow you to bring them in tax and duty-free,” he stated.
From raw materials to value addition
President Mahama said the revival of TOR represents Ghana’s determination to move away from exporting raw materials and instead build an economy driven by value addition, innovation and industrial excellence.
He said the government’s long-term ambition was to transform Ghana into West Africa’s leading petroleum refining, storage and logistics hub.
“Our work does not end with restoring TOR. Our vision is to transform Ghana into West Africa’s leading petroleum refinery, storage and logistics hub — adding value to our natural resources, creating jobs, strengthening energy security and driving industrial growth,” he said.
He added that government also plans to expand TOR’s Single Buoy Mooring (SBM) facility to enable the refinery to receive larger volumes of petroleum products more efficiently and quickly than the current system allows.
TOR revival fulfils Nkrumah’s industrial vision
President Mahama said the return of TOR to full production fulfilled the vision of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who established the refinery as part of efforts to industrialise the country after independence.
He recalled that the refinery was commissioned in 1963 as the Ghana Italian Petroleum Company (GHAIP) before Ghana acquired 100 per cent ownership in 1977.
“Since then, its history has been chequered. It has had periods of glory; it has had periods of downturn,” he said.
The President said the successful revival of TOR had challenged the perception that state-owned enterprises could not survive without being sold to private investors.
He said the achievement demonstrated that with effective leadership, competent management and committed workers, strategic state institutions could be restored and made productive.
No govt bailout for TOR revival
President Mahama praised TOR’s Board, Management and workers for turning around the fortunes of the refinery, stressing that the recovery had been achieved without direct financial support from government.
He said TOR had not received a single cedi from the government to finance its turnaround.
“Today, to the glory of God, a very determined Management and Board, very talented and efficient workers, working with strategic partners, has turned the fortunes of this refinery around,” he said.
“And I must say that this has been done without a single cedi from the Government of Ghana. TOR has achieved all this on their own. The government has not bailed them out. We haven’t put a single cedi into this rebound.”
He commended the Energy and Green Transition Minister, Dr John Jinapor, TOR Board Chairman Nayon Bilijo, Managing Director Edmond Kombat and staff of the refinery for their role in restoring the facility.
Three crude cargoes processed since May
President Mahama disclosed that since May 2026, TOR had successfully received and processed three separate one-million-barrel crude oil cargoes.
The crude supplies included Bonga crude, Baleine crude and Ghana’s own Jubilee Medium Sweet Crude.
He emphasised that TOR fully paid for the Ghanaian crude supplied to the refinery, describing it as evidence of government’s commitment to ensuring that Ghana’s petroleum resources create value within the country.
“TOR fully paid for the crude. It was not given to TOR on credit. TOR has fully paid for the crude. This represents a clear statement of government’s commitment to ensuring that our petroleum resources increase value and create value here at home,” he said.
TOR management outlines restoration milestones
The Managing Director of TOR, Edmond Kombat, said the refinery’s return to production was the result of a systematic restoration programme.
He said the completion of long-outstanding unaudited financial accounts covering 2019 to 2025, the successful receipt and processing of indigenous Ghana crude oil, and the return of the refinery to production were not isolated achievements.
According to him, the milestones collectively represented a reset and restoration of Ghana’s national refinery capability.
He said the refinery’s renewed operations reflected the commitment of management, workers and partners to rebuilding confidence in one of Ghana’s most important industrial institutions.
President Mahama said the revival of TOR was proof that Ghana could rebuild strategic institutions, add value to its natural resources and create a pathway towards sustainable economic prosperity.
