Mahama commissions Tema Oil Refinery after return to full production

President John Dramani Mahama has commissioned the refurbished Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) at Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), declaring the facility’s return to full operations a significant step towards strengthening Ghana’s industrial base and reducing its reliance on imported petroleum products.

The ceremony, held on Saturday, August 1, coincided with the refinery’s successful processing of one million barrels of locally produced Jubilee Field Medium Sweet crude oil into finished petroleum products.

The milestone signals a new phase for the state-owned refinery, which has experienced periods of both growth and decline since it was established.

Speaking at the commissioning, President Mahama said the rehabilitation of the CDU was part of a wider programme to restore TOR’s operational capacity. The work also included the restoration of the Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit, the installation of a new F-61 crude heater and the return of Boiler Number Eight to service.

He said the projects should be viewed as more than technical or engineering achievements, arguing that they reflected renewed confidence in Ghana’s industrial capabilities and a commitment to developing infrastructure that would serve future generations.

“Every investment made here strengthens our national resilience. Every improvement in refining capacity reduces our dependence on imported petroleum products,” the President stated.

President Mahama linked the refinery’s revival to the industrial vision of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who established the facility in 1963 as part of efforts to promote industrialisation and energy security.

He said TOR’s return to production demonstrated that state-owned enterprises could succeed when supported by effective leadership and sound management.

The President also argued that the refinery’s recovery had challenged the belief that state-owned companies could survive only through privatisation.

He alleged that the previous administration had planned to lease TOR for 15 years at a cost of $22 million. According to President Mahama, the proposed arrangement was prevented by the determination of the refinery’s workers.

“But today, to the glory of God, a determined management and board, together with dedicated workers and strategic partners, have turned the fortunes of this refinery around,” he said.

President Mahama further stressed that TOR’s turnaround had been achieved without a financial bailout from the government.

“TOR has achieved all this on its own. The Government of Ghana has not put a single cedi into this rebound,” he stated.

The commissioning marks the latest stage in the refinery’s efforts to restore its processing operations and increase the use of crude produced in Ghana. The processing of the one million barrels from the Jubilee Field has provided finished petroleum products while reinforcing the government’s wider objective of reducing dependence on imports.

The refinery was established in 1963 under Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and remains a key part of Ghana’s industrial and energy infrastructure. Its refurbished units are now operating as part of the facility’s return to full production.

Source: GNA