Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, has reaffirmed the strategic importance of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) to Ghana’s energy security and industrial development, describing it as a cornerstone for national economic transformation.
The Minister made the remarks during a working visit to TOR and the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) as part of efforts to assess and support the performance of agencies under his Ministry.
At TOR, Mr. Jinapor toured ongoing upgrade projects to gain firsthand insight into the refinery’s operational state.
He commended the facility’s management for recent progress made in restoring operations after years of underperformance but expressed concern over recurring leadership instability that has stifled TOR’s recovery.
“TOR remains a vital national asset. We must strengthen its operational efficiency and resilience to secure Ghana’s industrial growth and energy independence,” Mr. Jinapor said.
He tasked TOR’s Managing Director, Mr. Edmond Kombat, and his team to develop innovative and sustainable strategies that will enhance the refinery’s performance and long-term viability.
Mr. Jinapor also revealed that an earlier transaction involving the transfer of TOR to a private company for just USD 22 million had been referred to the Attorney-General for legal review.
He described the deal as “lacking transparency,” stressing the need for accountability in managing national assets.
In addition, the Minister announced plans to engage the Minister for Roads and Highways to improve access roads within the Tema industrial enclave, noting that better infrastructure will enhance logistics and supply chain efficiency for key energy and manufacturing firms.
During his visit to GRIDCo, the Energy Minister raised concerns about the company’s worsening financial position, noting that the firm had once been financially sound and capable of executing major projects from its own balance sheet.
“I have charged GRIDCo’s management to take bold steps to restore the company’s financial strength and technical capacity,” Mr. Jinapor said. “GRIDCo’s stability is critical not just for reliable power transmission, but also for the success of the government’s 24-hour economy initiative.”
He emphasised that these institutional visits form part of a broader government agenda to modernise Ghana’s energy sector, improve governance, and drive innovation in line with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision for a resilient and future-ready energy system.
“Our focus is on creating energy institutions that are transparent, financially sound, and equipped to support national development,” the Minister said.
The visit underscores the Ministry’s renewed commitment to ensuring sustainable energy delivery, industrial competitiveness, and long-term sectoral transformation.
