TOR revival creates 1,542 jobs as young engineers join refinery workforce

The restoration of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has created employment opportunities for 1,542 Ghanaians through permanent and temporary engagements, according to Managing Director Edmond Kombat.

He said the refinery’s revival programme has not only focused on rehabilitating plants and equipment but also on rebuilding Ghana’s technical capacity and creating sustainable livelihoods.

In a Facebook post shared on August 2, 2026, and sighted by GhanaWeb Business, Kombat disclosed that TOR recruited 300 young engineers into permanent positions last year as part of efforts to develop the next generation of refinery experts.

“These young professionals are receiving the training and practical experience needed to become the next generation of refinery experts,” he said.

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He added that during the Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) of the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), TOR engaged 301 temporary workers, including newly graduated university students, whose contributions helped complete the project in record time.

As work continues on the Turnaround Maintenance of the Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracking (RFCC) Unit, another 287 temporary workers have been engaged.

Additionally, about 35 local subcontractors have been awarded contracts, collectively employing 654 temporary workers to execute critical projects across the refinery.

Kombat said these interventions represent more than just employment figures, describing them as opportunities that have restored hope and strengthened families.

“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 stated.

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He said the jobs created reflect the broader impact of TOR’s RESET and RESTORATION agenda, adding that the refinery’s revival is about restoring livelihoods, rebuilding technical expertise and creating opportunities for young professionals.

Kombat also credited President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, for their roles in the refinery’s revival.

He thanked President Mahama for allocating Ghanaian indigenous crude oil to TOR, describing the move as a major milestone for a country that had exported crude oil for years while importing refined petroleum products.

“Ghanaian crude. Refined by Ghanaian engineers. In a Ghanaian refinery,” he wrote.

TOR resumed refining operations on December 19, 2025, after years of operational challenges, marking a significant step in efforts to restore the refinery as a key component of Ghana’s petroleum infrastructure.

DR/MA