President Nana Akufo-Addo has officially initiated the first phase of the Petroleum Hub Development project at Nawule in the Jomoro District of Ghana’s Western Region. This ambitious project aims to establish a 3,000-barrel-per-day refinery, along with additional infrastructure, which is projected to create approximately 780,000 jobs.
The project follows a $12 billion agreement signed in 2024 between the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation and the TCP-UIC consortium. Despite concerns from local communities about the lack of consultation and the extensive 20,000-acre land acquisition, the project has moved forward.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, President Akufo-Addo described the event as a significant step toward providing sustainable energy to Ghanaian households and industries. He outlined the project’s scope, stating, “We take a bold step towards ensuring that all Ghanaian homes and industries have access to reliable, affordable, and environmentally sustainable energy. It is expected to result in the construction of a 3,000-per-day refinery, three hundred thousand cubic metres of storage tanks, jetty and port infrastructure, offer base and auxiliary infrastructure, and six social amenities.”
The President further explained the phased approach to the project, noting, “In our strategic approach, we have divided this project into three independent phases. Each phase, upon completion, will serve as a standalone hub, forming collectively a petrochemical industrial park sprawling across some 20,000 acres. This project will complement, not compete with, existing refineries in Ghana and the West African region.”
Akufo-Addo emphasized the broader significance of the project, stating, “It is designed to capture and sell to the African Continental Free Trade Area market, which is valued currently at some 3.4 trillion United States dollars. We envisage a facility equipped with cutting-edge technology prioritizing environmental sustainability with green buffers supporting local fauna and flora. It will be a benchmark for crude and petroleum product pricing in Africa.”
Additionally, the project is expected to generate substantial economic benefits, including stabilizing the national currency, promoting local economic development, and positioning Ghana as Africa’s leading petroleum and petrochemical partner. “This project promises to create some 780,000 direct and indirect jobs, help stabilize our currency, stimulate local economic development, and position Ghana as Africa’s premier petroleum and petrochemical partner. I am confident this hub will be a secure, innovative workplace, adhering to the highest industry standards,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
Addressing the concerns raised by local communities, the President announced several changes to ensure greater acceptance of the project. “I propose that the headquarters of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation be located in Jomoro and that it should be renamed the Jomoro Petroleum Hub Development Corporation. To support the project, it is crucial to have a skilled workforce ready,” he said. He also directed the Ministry of Energy and the project’s Board to train 200,000 Ghanaians, primarily from the Jomoro area, to prepare them for employment in the project.
The President also defended the choice of the TCP-UIC consortium, highlighting their capability to deliver the project within the established timelines and standards. “The TCP-UIC consortium, chosen for the first phase, possesses the technical expertise and financial strength to meet our regulated timelines and standards. I urge everyone involved to leave no stone unturned in making this hub a model not only for Ghana but also for the entire world,” he affirmed.
Charles Owusu, CEO of the Petroleum Hub, echoed the President’s optimism, calling the project a “game-changer” for Ghana. “It is a game-changer in providing jobs, promoting technological transfer, and positioning Ghana as a centre for refining and trading of petroleum and petrochemical products and services. Equally balancing objectives for economic growth, environmental management, and human capital development. It is my firm belief that placing an egg on a pea is a possibility worth exploring at all times, if one aims to translate a dream into a reality,” Owusu remarked.
Despite the enthusiasm from officials, some residents of the Nawowle enclave remain opposed to the project, citing concerns over the size of the land acquired, compensation issues, and the lack of corporate social responsibility initiatives.
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