'I will engage Finance Minister, AG to back Petroleum Hub Project' – Dr Jinapor

The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, has pledged to spearhead inter-ministerial engagements aimed at resolving outstanding issues delaying the implementation of the Petroleum Hub project.

Speaking at the signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the PHDC and an investment consortium led by UAE-based Global Sphere for the development of Lot 2 of the project, Dr Jinapor disclosed plans to engage the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and the Office of the Attorney-General to address key challenges, including land acquisition and compensation financing.

According to him, the emergence of credible investors with a firm interest in the project places an obligation on both government and the PHDC to create the enabling conditions required for successful implementation.

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He said his ministry would lead the necessary stakeholder engagements to facilitate the project's progress and remove any bottlenecks.

Dr Jinapor further revealed that he would hold intensive discussions with PHDC management to advance a project he described as central to President John Dramani Mahama’s vision for Ghana’s oil and gas sector.

“I have requested a meeting so that we can examine what needs to be done to achieve this objective. It is a noble and commendable undertaking, but it requires substantial work. As Minister, I must ensure that I provide every possible support to shepherd the project and fulfil our side of the bargain, thereby creating the enabling environment for success,” he said.

“You have my full support. I will engage the Minister of Finance and the Attorney-General. I will also bring on board the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources so that, together, we can guide this project and provide the necessary backing. We will be well positioned going forward,” he stated.

The Energy Minister commended the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), led by Dr Toni Aubynn, for its leadership in advancing the initiative and stressed the need for stronger institutional support to accelerate its execution.

For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of PHDC, Dr Toni Aubynn described the Energy Minister as a steadfast supporter of the Petroleum Hub project whose encouragement has been instrumental in moving the initiative forward.

He noted that the Petroleum Hub had become a key priority under his administration due to its potential to drive industrialisation, strengthen energy security, and transform Ghana’s economy.

“With the unwavering support of His Excellency the President of the Republic, John Dramani Mahama; our sector minister, Honourable Dr John Abdulai Jinapor; our Board; and the management and staff of this Corporation, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work.

“Flanked by my two dynamic and visionary Deputy Chief Executives, we set out with a clear conviction that the Petroleum Hub must be more than an investment destination. It must become a strategic national asset, strengthening Ghana’s energy security, creating opportunities for our young people, and helping protect our economy against external shocks, including the geopolitical tensions we continue to witness in the Middle East.

“That is why we declared 2026 our Year of Action. We believed that the groundwork had been laid, that the partnerships were within our reach, and that the time had come to move from boardroom plans on paper to progress on the ground,” he said.

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According to details disclosed at the ceremony, the consortium is expected to develop, within five years, a world-class refinery with a capacity of 300,000 barrels per stream day, two petrochemical plants, four million cubic metres of storage infrastructure, and a multi-berth jetty.

Implementation is expected to commence immediately, with on-site activities at the project site in Jomoro scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2027.

DR/SA

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