The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, has reaffirmed the strategic importance of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) to Ghana’s energy security and industrial development during a working visit to the refinery and the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo).
The visit forms part of the Minister’s ongoing mandate to assess and support the performance of key agencies under his ministry. At TOR, Mr. Jinapor toured sections of the facility to inspect ongoing upgrading works and gain firsthand insight into its current operations.
He described TOR as a critical national asset and expressed concern about the persistent leadership instability that has slowed its progress over the years. He, however, commended management for the significant progress achieved in the past nine months, urging them to maintain the momentum.
Mr. Jinapor further tasked the Managing Director, Mr. Edmond Kombat, and his team to develop innovative and sustainable strategies to enhance TOR’s operational efficiency and long-term resilience.
Touching on recent developments, the Minister revealed that “the previous administration surreptitiously handed over TOR to a private company for just USD 22 million, in a transaction that lacked transparency.” He added that the matter has since been referred to the Attorney-General for advice and appropriate action.
The Minister also announced plans to collaborate with the Minister for Roads and Highways to improve access roads within the Tema industrial enclave — a move aimed at boosting logistics efficiency and facilitating industrial operations in the area.
Later at the Ghana Grid Company GRIDCo, Mr. Jinapor expressed concern about the company’s deteriorating financial position, noting that the utility had previously been financially sound and capable of funding major infrastructure projects independently.
“I have therefore charged GRIDCo’s management to take bold steps to restore the company to its former glory — as a financially stable and technically robust institution,” he said. “GRIDCo’s role is vital, not only for the reliability of Ghana’s electricity transmission system but also for the success of the government’s 24-hour economy initiative.”
Mr. Jinapor emphasized that these visits form part of a broader effort to modernize Ghana’s energy institutions, strengthen governance, and drive innovation in line with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision for a resilient and future-ready energy sector.
He later shared on Facebook that the ministry remains committed to ensuring Ghana’s energy agencies operate efficiently and contribute meaningfully to national development.
