President John Dramani Mahama has confirmed the resumption of operations at the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) during the 2026 State of the Nation Address, describing it as a major breakthrough for Ghana’s energy sector.
The refinery has resumed processing crude oil into petroleum products for the first time since 2018, following years of shutdown caused by financial and maintenance challenges.
After undergoing major turnaround maintenance on its Crude Distillation Unit between August and October 2025, TOR successfully restarted refining operations in December 2025. Regulatory clearance was granted by the National Petroleum Authority on December 19, 2025.
Energy sector experts say the revival of TOR will strengthen Ghana’s fuel security, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products, and improve economic resilience.
Management has announced a phased operational approach, with system stabilisation and performance optimisation underway. Planned upgrades, including a new furnace installation, are expected to boost refining capacity and efficiency.
The refinery’s return is expected to support the downstream petroleum sector and contribute to long-term energy sustainability in Ghana.
