As part of his mandate to assess and support the performance of agencies under the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, the sector Minister John Jinapor has paid a working visit to the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo).
At TOR, he toured ongoing upgrading works to gain firsthand insight into the current state of the facility.
He reaffirmed TOR’s strategic importance to Ghana’s energy security and industrial development and expressed concern about the persistent leadership instability that has hampered progress over the years.
The Minister also stated that there has been significant progress made over the past nine months and encouraged management to maintain the momentum.
He also “tasked the Managing Director, Mr. Edmond Kombat and his team, to develop innovative and sustainable strategies to strengthen TOR’s operational efficiency and resilience.”
Importantly, he disclosed that “the previous administration surreptitiously handed over TOR to a private company for just USD 22 million, in a transaction that lacked transparency. This matter has been referred to the Attorney-General for his advice and necessary action.”
In addition, he announced plans to engage the Minister for Roads and Highways to improve access roads within the Tema industrial enclave, a step that will enhance the efficiency of logistics and operations in the area.
At GRIDCo, he expressed concern over the company’s declining financial position.
“Not too long ago, GRIDCo was financially sound and capable of executing major infrastructure projects using its own balance sheet. Sadly, that is no longer the case.
“I have therefore charged GRIDCo’s management to take bold steps to restore the company to its former glory, where it stood as a financially stable and technically robust institution. The company’s role is vital, not only to the reliability of Ghana’s electricity transmission system, but also to the success of the government’s 24-hour economy initiative.
“These visits are part of our broader agenda to modernise Ghana’s energy institutions, strengthen governance, and drive innovation in line with H.E. President John Dramani Mahama’s vision for a resilient, secure, and future-ready energy sector,” he wrote on Facebook after the tour.
