Tema Oil Refinery Bounces Back

After years of inactivity and mismanagement, the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), one of Ghana’s strategic national assets, is set to resume its core mandate of refining crude oil by the end of October 2025.

Speaking on Accra-based Onua FM’s Yɛn Nsempa morning show on Monday, October 13, TOR’s Corporate Affairs Officer, Mr. Godwin Mahama, disclosed that preparations are nearly complete to restart full operations.

“The new management has made it a point that the company returns to its main mandate by the end of this month. TOR will start refining crude in the country. We have begun a turnaround maintenance project to restore all equipment to working condition,” he said.

Maintenance 98% Complete

Mr. Mahama revealed that a comprehensive Turnaround Maintenance Project, aimed at rehabilitating key refining infrastructure, is now 98% complete. A dedicated committee was instituted to oversee the process, with the support of temporary staff employed who have worked tirelessly over the past two to three months to achieve result.

A recent staff durbar confirmed that the turnaround maintenance committee will officially hand over the facility to the production unit by Friday. Once the final inspection is completed, TOR will be ready to commence crude oil refining.

“Before the third week of this month, the first crude consignment will arrive in the country, and refining will begin,” Mr. Mahama assured.

For the past six to eight years, TOR has been largely dormant, with its core refining function suspended. During this period, the refinery survived by leasing its tank farms to Bulk Distribution Companies (BDCs) for fuel storage and distribution.

“The refinery’s main function was non-existent. What kept TOR going was the rental of its large tank farms to BDCs for storing finished petroleum products,” Mr. Mahama explained.

Leadership & Gov’t Support

The revival of TOR has been credited to the efforts of the new management team led by Managing Director (MD) Edmond Kombat, and the renewed commitment of the government.

Mr. Mahama acknowledged the role of President John Mahama in TOR’s rehabilitation, stating that the President has consistently emphasized the need to restore the refinery’s operations.

“President Mahama has consistently reiterated that TOR must work again because when TOR works, it brings employment and strengthens our foreign exchange position,” he said.

Import Dependence

Reviving crude oil refining locally is expected to significantly reduce Ghana’s reliance on imported petroleum products, save foreign exchange, and help stabilize the local currency.

“Currently, almost all finished petroleum products are imported. If TOR can meet about 60% of local demand, it will reduce foreign currency outflows and support the Finance Ministry and Gold for Oil Programme (GOLDBOD) in stabilizing the economy,” Mr. Mahama added.

TOR’s anticipated return to refining marks a major step towards self-sufficiency in petroleum processing and is expected to provide a boost to Ghana’s energy security and economic resilience.