Mahama to cut sod for Sentuo Refinery Expansion
President John Dramani Mahama is set to officially cut sod on June 24, 2026, for Phase II of the Sentuo Oil Refinery expansion project, a major investment expected to significantly increase Ghana’s petroleum refining capacity and reinforce its position as a key energy hub in West Africa.
The announcement was made during a ceremony marking the delivery of Ghana’s first Jubilee crude oil cargo for local refining at the Sentuo Oil Refinery in Tema, an achievement widely regarded as a landmark step in the country’s drive towards value addition and energy security.
Speaking at the event, Executive Chairman of Sentuo Oil Refinery, Ningquan Xu, described the planned expansion as a transformative project for Ghana’s industrial and economic development.
According to him, Phase II will increase the refinery’s processing capacity from 40,000 barrels per day to 100,000 barrels per day, elevating Ghana’s standing among the leading petroleum refining centres in the West African sub-region.
The expansion is expected to improve domestic fuel supply, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and strengthen Ghana’s role in regional petroleum trade.
Beyond its impact on the energy sector, the project is projected to create thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities in areas including construction, engineering, logistics, transportation and petroleum-related services.
Mr Xu also used the occasion to call for improvements in critical infrastructure within Tema’s industrial enclave to support the anticipated growth in industrial activity.
He highlighted the need for durable concrete roads linking the VALCO Roundabout to the Tema Heavy Industrial Area, where heavy-duty trucks, fuel tankers and industrial equipment operate daily.
According to him, the existing road network is under increasing pressure from continuous industrial traffic, resulting in higher maintenance costs, transportation delays and operational inefficiencies.
He argued that upgrading the roads to concrete surfaces would improve durability, enhance the movement of goods and services, lower long-term maintenance expenses and increase investor confidence in one of Ghana’s most important industrial zones.
With the sod-cutting ceremony scheduled for June 24, attention is now turning to the broader implications of the refinery expansion and the infrastructure investments needed to support industrial growth.
Industry observers view the Sentuo expansion as more than an energy-sector project, describing it as a strategic investment that aligns with Ghana’s broader industrialisation agenda, job creation objectives and ambition to become a competitive energy and manufacturing hub in West Africa.
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