Ghana’s push toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy future is gaining momentum, with renewed operations at the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), expanded LPG infrastructure, and ambitious solar-powered initiatives, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, has announced.
Addressing Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang during a working visit to the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, Dr. Jinapor confirmed that TOR has resumed crude oil processing for the first time in many years, describing it as a major milestone.
“For so many years, for the first time, Tema Oil Refinery has started processing crude oil. If you go there at night, you will see the fire on the tip of the furnace, which means that we are making so much progress,” he said.
The Minister also highlighted the government’s commitment to expanding the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a cleaner alternative to firewood and charcoal. He described the Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company as critical to this agenda.
While only 6,500 cylinders were refurbished in 2024, Dr. Jinapor said performance improved dramatically after management was given a clear mandate. “By the end of the year, they had refurbished 57,000 cylinders,” he revealed.
To modernize operations, he announced that the government has secured $8.5 million in funding to retool and revamp the company, with plans to turn it into a modern cylinder manufacturing facility.
On renewable energy, Dr. Jinapor said the Ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to deploy solar-powered irrigation systems, particularly in northern Ghana, to support dry-season farming.
He further disclosed plans to roll out solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations across the country, warning that Ghana’s estimated 17,000 EVs could strain the national grid if left unchecked.
“So we want to be innovative and ahead of the curve by installing solar-packed charging stations where, through an app, you can pay maybe two cedis or five cedis and charge your car in minutes,” he said.
According to the Minister, the shift to solar-powered transport could cut fuel costs by up to 50 percent, reinforcing the government’s broader commitment to green transition and long-term energy sustainability.
Ghana is accelerating efforts toward a cleaner and more resilient energy future, following the resumption of operations at the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), the expansion of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) infrastructure, and the rollout of solar-powered initiatives, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, has announced.
Dr. Jinapor made the disclosure during a working visit by Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang to the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, where he confirmed that TOR has resumed crude oil processing after years of inactivity.
He described the development as a significant milestone in Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector, noting visible signs of renewed refinery activity.
“For the first time in many years, Tema Oil Refinery is processing crude oil again. When you visit the facility at night and see the flame at the furnace tip, it is a clear indication that progress is being made,” the Minister stated.
As part of government’s clean cooking agenda, Dr. Jinapor reiterated the commitment to expanding LPG usage nationwide to reduce reliance on firewood and charcoal. He identified the Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company as a key institution in achieving this goal.
According to him, the company refurbished only 6,500 LPG cylinders in 2024, but output increased significantly after management received a clear operational directive.
“By the close of the year, refurbishment numbers had risen to 57,000 cylinders,” he disclosed.
To further strengthen operations, the Minister announced that government has secured $8.5 million to retool and modernize the company, with the objective of transforming it into a fully integrated cylinder manufacturing facility.
On renewable energy development, Dr. Jinapor said the Ministry is partnering with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to deploy solar-powered irrigation systems, particularly in northern Ghana, to enhance dry-season farming and improve food security.
He also revealed plans to introduce solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the country, cautioning that Ghana’s growing EV population estimated at about 17,000 could place additional pressure on the national power grid if not properly managed.
“We intend to stay ahead of the curve by installing solar-powered charging stations where motorists can use an app to make small payments and charge their vehicles within minutes,” he explained.
Dr. Jinapor noted that transitioning to solar-powered transport solutions could reduce fuel-related costs by as much as 50 percent, underscoring government’s broader commitment to green transition, innovation, and long-term energy sustainability.