The Managing Director of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), Edmund Kombat, has expressed profound gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, for their leadership and support towards the restoration of the state-owned refinery.
Mr. Kombat said TOR remained indebted to President Mahama and Dr. Jinapor for their commitment to reviving the refinery and restoring confidence in Ghana’s refining industry.
Speaking at the commissioning of the refurbished Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) at TOR, he said the allocation of indigenous Ghanaian crude to the refinery represented a major turning point in the country’s industrial history.
“Ghanaian crude, refined by Ghanaian engineers, in a Ghanaian refinery,” he said, describing the development as particularly significant for a country that had exported crude oil for more than 15 years while relying heavily on imported refined petroleum products.
Mr. Kombat commended President Mahama for taking the decision to allocate Ghanaian crude to TOR, saying the move had provided renewed confidence in the refinery’s ability to contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s energy security.
1,542 jobs created through TOR revival
According to the TOR Managing Director, the refinery’s restoration programme has also generated significant employment opportunities for Ghanaians.
He disclosed that 301 temporary workers, including newly graduated university students, were engaged during the Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) of the CDU to support the refurbishment works.
He said an additional 287 temporary workers had been engaged as work continued on the Turnaround Maintenance of the Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracking (RFCC) Unit.
Furthermore, TOR has awarded contracts to about 35 local subcontractors, who have collectively employed 654 temporary workers to execute critical projects across the refinery.
Mr. Kombat said management had also recruited 300 young engineers into permanent positions, describing the move as a deliberate investment in the future of Ghana’s refining industry.
He noted that the young engineers were receiving practical training and experience to equip them to become the next generation of refinery professionals.
“These initiatives have directly created opportunities for 1,542 Ghanaians—through permanent and temporary employment—providing them with skills, income, dignity, and renewed hope,” he said.
Mr. Kombat stressed that the impact of TOR’s restoration went beyond the rehabilitation of plants and equipment, arguing that it was also about restoring livelihoods, rebuilding technical capacity and creating opportunities for Ghanaians.
Jinapor’s leadership praised
The TOR Managing Director reserved special praise for Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, whom he described as a “big brother,” for his leadership and unwavering support throughout the refinery’s restoration journey.
He said Dr. Jinapor visited TOR at a time when confidence in the future of the national asset was low, but his engagement with management and staff helped restore hope and encouraged them to believe that the refinery could be revived.
“Your faith in us became a source of strength and determination. Your support has gone beyond words,” Mr. Kombat said.
He particularly commended the Energy Minister for directing the Ministry’s Director of Power to facilitate the release of nearly 400 solar street-lighting poles, which were subsequently installed at TOR at no cost to the refinery.
According to him, the installation has significantly improved nighttime visibility, enhanced operational safety and strengthened TOR’s capacity to operate effectively under the government’s 24-Hour Economy initiative.
Mr. Kombat also expressed personal gratitude to Dr. Jinapor for his mentorship, describing the Minister’s guidance, counsel and encouragement as a source of inspiration to him and the wider TOR team.
Stakeholders Commended
Mr. Kombat also acknowledged the contributions of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), particularly its Chief Executive, Edudzi Kudzo Tameklo, towards TOR’s restoration.
He expressed appreciation to Afetsi Awoonor and the team at the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST), Edward Abambire Bawa and the leadership of GOIL PLC, as well as Kwame Ntow Amoah and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).
He said the collaboration among the institutions had demonstrated what could be achieved when state agencies worked together towards a common national objective.
The TOR boss further thanked Triangle Commodities Trading and its partners in Fujairah for their confidence in the refinery and their investment in its restoration.
He said the partnership had brought technical expertise, operational excellence and long-term commitment to rebuilding and strengthening Ghana’s premier refinery.
Mr. Kombat also commended the TOR Board of Directors, technical partners, contractors, regulators and other stakeholders for their support.
He reserved special appreciation for the Deputy Managing Director, Mustapha Abubakar, the management team and the engineers, technicians, operators, artisans and other employees of TOR.
“This achievement belongs to you,” he said.
Mr. Kombat said the progress made so far was the result of collective effort, stressing that the transformation of TOR could not be attributed to one individual.
He said the restoration programme had demonstrated that with strong political leadership, institutional collaboration and a committed workforce, Ghana could rebuild its strategic petroleum infrastructure and strengthen domestic refining capacity.
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