The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) says its recovery programme has created employment for young Ghanaian engineers and thousands of other workers while strengthening the country’s capacity to produce petroleum products locally.
Managing Director Edmond Kombat outlined the employment and energy security benefits during a press briefing, arguing that the refinery’s revival goes beyond restoring an industrial facility.
According to the briefing, TOR’s recovery activities involved 300 young engineers recruited into permanent positions, 301 temporary workers engaged for the CDU maintenance and 287 workers employed for RFCC maintenance.
Another 654 people were employed by 35 local contractors working at the refinery.
The figures presented in the statement distinguish between permanent recruitment, temporary maintenance work and contractor employment. Kombat said the broader programme had also generated substantial indirect employment.
The refinery’s return to operation is expected to contribute to Ghana’s energy security by reducing the volume of finished petroleum products the country needs to import.
At its nameplate capacity of 45,000 barrels per stream day, TOR’s crude throughput would be equivalent to roughly 35% of the 128,000 barrels of clean petroleum products Ghana imported daily in 2025, according to the figures provided by management.
That comparison indicates the potential scale of the refinery’s contribution if it operates at full capacity. TOR’s current throughput, however, stands at approximately 28,000 barrels per day.
Kombat said local refining could help Ghana retain more value from crude oil and improve the availability of petroleum products within the domestic market.
“Refining Ghanaian crude in Ghana keeps value onshore,” he said.
The refinery received Ghana’s Jubilee Medium Sweet crude in July 2026, marking what Kombat described as its first Jubilee cargo in a decade. TOR paid for the cargo in full, according to the managing director.
Management also pointed to its offtake partnership with GOIL, following an engagement on September 2, 2026, as part of efforts to increase the supply of locally refined products.
The stated objectives include improving security of supply and supporting greater price stability at fuel pumps.
Kombat also referred to President John Dramani Mahama’s remarks during the CDU commissioning on August 1, 2026. According to the managing director’s account, the President said Ghana was largely spared the effects of the Iran conflict on fuel supply because of TOR’s role.
Kombat used the example to underscore the importance of maintaining domestic refining capacity when international supplies face disruption.
The refinery’s recovery has also involved rebuilding relationships with crude suppliers, petroleum companies and regional partners. Management said renewed confidence among these businesses had helped ensure a steady supply of crude for processing and encouraged companies to store and lift products at TOR.
Beyond energy security and employment, the company says the revival is restoring confidence among staff, regulators, customers and suppliers.
The longer-term objective is to expand local refining capacity so Ghana can meet a greater proportion of its fuel needs domestically. Government has set a target of meeting about 70% of national fuel demand through local refining by 2028.
Achieving that goal will depend on TOR completing planned upgrades, increasing its processing capacity and maintaining reliable commercial operations.
.The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) says its recovery programme has created employment for young Ghanaian engineers and thousands of other workers while strengthening the country’s capacity to produce petroleum products locally.
