President Mahama to cut sod for Sentuo Phase II

President John Dramani Mahama is expected to officially cut sod on June 24, 2026, for Phase II of the Sentuo Oil Refinery expansion, a major industrial project that could significantly reshape Ghana’s petroleum refining capacity and strengthen its position as a regional energy hub.

The announcement was made during the reception of Ghana’s first-ever Jubilee crude oil cargo delivered for local refining at the Sentuo Oil Refinery facility in Tema, an event industry players have described as a milestone in the country’s push toward value addition and energy independence.

Speaking at the ceremony, Executive Chairman of Sentuo Oil Refinery, Ningquan Xu, said the Phase II expansion represents a turning point for Ghana’s industrial future.

The project will increase refining capacity from 40,000 barrels per day to 100,000 barrels per day, placing Ghana among the most significant refining centres in West Africa.

Ghana receives first Jubilee crude shipment for local refining at Sentuo

Once completed, the expansion is expected to boost fuel availability, reduce import dependence, and strengthen Ghana’s position in petroleum trading across the sub-region.

The expansion is also projected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs across engineering, logistics, transport, construction, and petroleum services.

Alongside the expansion announcement, Sentuo Oil Refinery is urging government and stakeholders to address what it describes as a critical infrastructure gap within Tema’s industrial corridor.

The company has specifically called for the development of durable concrete roads linking the VALCO Roundabout through the Tema Heavy Industrial Area, where heavy-duty trucks, fuel tankers, and industrial machinery operate daily.

According to Xu, the current road network is under significant strain from continuous industrial traffic, leading to higher maintenance costs, slower movement of goods, and inefficiencies across the enclave.

Executives argue that upgrading to concrete roads would improve durability, reduce long-term repair costs, enhance transport efficiency, and boost investor confidence in one of Ghana’s most important industrial zones.

With the Phase II sod-cutting ceremony scheduled for June 24, attention is now shifting toward how Ghana aligns large-scale industrial investments with infrastructure development.

The Sentuo expansion is being viewed not only as an energy project, but also as part of a broader national push toward industrialisation, job creation, and regional competitiveness in the West African energy sector.

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