President John Dramani Mahama has officially commissioned the refurbished Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) at the Tema Oil Refinery, marking a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to restore and expand Ghana’s petroleum refining capacity.
The commissioning forms part of the government’s broader economic transformation and industrialisation drive aimed at strengthening energy security, creating jobs, and reducing the country’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Mahama highlighted the strategic importance of Tema Oil Refinery and Sentuo in processing locally produced crude oil and ensuring a steady supply of petroleum products across the country.
According to the President, Ghana’s refining capacity has helped cushion the nation from the global shocks associated with the recent US-Israel-Iran conflict.
>”Because of the role of Tema Oil Refinery and Sentuo in refining local crude and ensuring the availability of petroleum products on the market, Ghanaians have hardly felt the impact of the US-Israel-Iran war,” President Mahama stated.
The President noted that the revival of the refinery represents a critical step toward achieving energy independence while enhancing the resilience of Ghana’s petroleum sector.
Also addressing the gathering, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, described the commissioning as a practical demonstration of the government’s “Reset Agenda.”
“This is the Reset Agenda; we are creating jobs and adding value,” the Minister said, adding that restoring the refinery’s operations would stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities, and strengthen Ghana’s downstream petroleum industry.
The refurbished Crude Distillation Unit is expected to significantly improve the operational capacity of the Tema Oil Refinery, increase domestic fuel production, and reduce the country’s reliance on imported refined petroleum products while supporting long-term energy sustainability.
The commissioning signals a renewed commitment by the government to revitalise strategic national assets and position Ghana’s energy sector as a key driver of economic growth and industrial development.
Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of The Accra Daily Mail, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
