Following the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, the Head of Corporate Affairs at the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), Godwin Ayamba, has revealed that discussions are underway between the refinery, the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, and the Government of Ghana to secure crude oil from Ghana’s local wells for domestic refining.
According to him, the initiative forms part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s energy security and reduce the country’s vulnerability to global oil supply disruptions resulting from conflicts in the Middle East.
Mr. Ayamba explained that one of the immediate priorities is to ensure that TOR resumes full operations to help stabilize the local petroleum supply chain. He noted that allowing the refinery to process crude from Ghana’s own oil fields would significantly reduce the nation’s dependence on imported refined products.
He added that beyond restarting operations, TOR is also planning a major expansion of its refining capacity. The refinery aims to begin work on a new facility capable of processing about 100,000 barrels of crude oil per day by 2026.
According to him, the proposed expansion will complement the refinery’s existing capacity and position Ghana to refine a larger share of its crude oil locally.
Mr. Ayamba stressed that these measures will help the country better withstand the economic impact of global oil market shocks, particularly those arising from conflicts in the Middle East, while strengthening Ghana’s long-term energy independence.
Story: Nyamebeye Kofi Ansah Sasraku