President John Dramani delivering the 2026 State of the Nation’s Address
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) is back in operation, describing the development as a major boost for Ghana’s energy sector.
Speaking during the 2026 State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Friday, February 27, 2026, President Mahama stated that the refinery has resumed processing crude oil into petroleum products after years of inactivity.
“I’m pleased to inform this august House that for the first time since 2018, the refinery has commenced processing of crude oil into petroleum products once more,” he said.
For many Ghanaians, TOR’s return represents more than just the restart of machinery; it signals renewed hope for strengthening the country’s energy independence.
The refinery had struggled for years due to financial difficulties and maintenance challenges, forcing Ghana to rely heavily on imported refined petroleum products.
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After extensive turnaround maintenance on its Crude Distillation Unit between August and October 2025, TOR successfully resumed refining in December 2025.
The National Petroleum Authority granted clearance for operations to restart on December 19, 2025, following regulatory inspections.
Industry players have welcomed the development.
The Institute for Energy Security and the Legal Green Association have both described TOR’s revival as a significant step toward improving Ghana’s energy security and economic resilience.
Management says the refinery will resume operations gradually under a phased approach to stabilise systems and optimise performance, with planned upgrades including a new furnace expected to boost capacity over time.
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The reopening of TOR is widely viewed as a strategic move to reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported fuel and strengthen the downstream petroleum sector.
NA/VPO
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Source:
www.ghanaweb.com