TOR's comeback shields Ghana from global fuel crises, says MD

Ghana's renewed domestic refining capacity has proven crucial in protecting the country from fuel supply disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, according to Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Managing Director Edmond Kombat. Speaking at the Government Accountability Series at Jubilee House on Monday, October 26, 2026, Mr Kombat emphasised that TOR's operational revival represents a strategic buffer against the kind of international petroleum market volatility that could otherwise destabilise Ghana's energy security.

The refinery's turnaround marks a significant milestone for Ghana's oil sector. After years of inoperability, TOR's Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) was successfully recommissioned on August 1, 2026, following extensive rehabilitation work. President John Dramani Mahama highlighted during the commissioning that Ghanaians had been largely spared from the effects of Iran-related fuel supply disruptions precisely because TOR was processing crude domestically. The timing underscores how critical local refining capacity has become in an increasingly unpredictable global energy landscape.

From stagnation to production: TOR's journey back

TOR's path to recovery was long. The CDU had been offline since April 2021, while the Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracking unit had remained shut since 2019. This extended shutdown severely constrained the refinery's ability to process crude oil, forcing it into storage-related activities rather than its core refining mission. When a new management team took charge in May 2025, they launched an ambitious turnaround maintenance programme to restore the facility to operational condition. After rigorous inspection and approval by the National Petroleum Authority, crude processing resumed on December 19, 2025.

Since restart, TOR has received multiple crude cargoes, including indigenous crude from Ghana's Jubilee and Sankofa fields. The refinery operates at a nameplate capacity of 45,000 barrels per stream day, which translates to approximately 35 per cent of the 128,000 barrels of clean petroleum products Ghana imported daily in 2025. This capacity represents a meaningful reduction in Ghana's import dependency and strengthens the country's ability to meet domestic fuel demand.

Why it matters for Ghana: energy security and economic resilience

TOR's restoration carries profound implications for Ghana's long-term energy security and economic stability. With global oil markets increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical shocks—whether from Middle East tensions, supply chain disruptions, or sanctions regimes—maintaining domestic refining capacity has shifted from a nice-to-have to a strategic necessity. Every barrel processed locally reduces Ghana's exposure to volatile international prices and protects consumers and businesses from sudden fuel cost spikes beyond government control.

For a country that imports the majority of its refined petroleum products, this domestic processing capacity also offers fiscal benefits. Reduced imports mean lower foreign exchange outflows and greater predictability in fuel pricing. Furthermore, local refining supports Ghana's value chain by processing indigenous crude from Jubilee and Sankofa, creating multiplier effects in employment and tax revenue.

The refinery's recovery also reflects broader lessons about maintaining strategic state assets. TOR's decline serves as a cautionary tale about underinvestment and poor management in critical infrastructure. The successful turnaround demonstrates that with proper governance and commitment, Ghana can rehabilitate dormant assets to serve national interests.

Mr Kombat stressed that TOR's ongoing focus remains on restoring full operational reliability, securing steady crude supplies, and deepening partnerships with stakeholders including Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL), the National Petroleum Authority, and the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited. These collaborations are essential to optimising Ghana's petroleum supply chain and building resilience that benefits the entire economy.