President John Dramani Mahama has announced a major revision to the government’s approach to the Petroleum Hub Development Project in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region, aimed at ensuring fair compensation for landowners and accelerating project execution.
Speaking at a meeting with the Western Regional House of Chiefs on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, President Mahama revealed that the government would be renegotiating the land acquisition terms with the people of the Western Nzema Traditional Area. This move, he said, will facilitate the prompt payment of compensation to landowners whose lands were earmarked for the multibillion-dollar energy infrastructure project.
The previous administration under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had acquired 20,000 hectares of land for the Petroleum Hub. However, President Mahama believes that a scaled-down initial land requirement will be more efficient and cost-effective.
“I have directed the Minister responsible to renegotiate the land acquisition with the traditional authorities and affected communities,” the President stated. “Our goal is to relinquish a portion of the 20,000 hectares previously acquired and retain only 5,000 hectares to begin with. This will allow us to pay adequate compensation and commence the project without unnecessary delays.”
He assured the chiefs that additional land will be acquired gradually as the project expands. “We don’t need to tie down large swathes of land when only a fraction is required for the initial phase,” he explained.
President Mahama also highlighted the transformative potential of the Petroleum Hub project, describing it as a game-changer for the local economy and a significant step toward establishing Ghana as a leading energy and petrochemical hub in West Africa.
“This project holds immense promise for job creation, especially for the youth of Jomoro and the Western Region at large,” he said. “We are committed to accelerating its implementation with a fair and inclusive approach.”
The Petroleum Hub Development Project is a strategic national initiative designed to position Ghana as a center for refined petroleum products, storage, and petrochemical industries, serving both domestic and regional markets.
