The Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, says Ghana and countries in the wider West African region have the potential to become self-sufficient in petroleum products.
Speaking on the KeyPoints on March 7, he noted that with the operations of the Tema Oil Refinery and the privately owned Sentuo Oil Refinery, the country could significantly reduce its reliance on imported refined fuel.
According to him, strengthening local refining capacity would help stabilize prices and shield the country from global shocks.
“If you take Ghana with Sentuo coming online and linking up with Tema Oil Refinery, we do not have to import finished products,” he said.
Mr. Bentil explained that West Africa could refine its own crude oil instead of exporting it and importing finished fuel.
“You can’t stop foreign wars, but you can stop them from affecting you,” he stated, urging policymakers to focus on building resilience in the petroleum sector.
He added that stakeholders must work together to ensure Ghana relies less on international fuel hubs and instead uses its own crude and refining capacity to maintain stable fuel prices.
Former Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North Constituency, Andy Appiah-Kubi, also urged West African governments to prioritize self-sufficiency in the energy sector.
He said the region has the resources and capacity to refine its own petroleum products instead of depending heavily on external markets.
“We have the potential to be self-sufficient within West Africa,” he stated.
Mr. Appiah-Kubi stressed that stakeholders must move beyond commentary and actively participate in developing the sector.
“In Ghana everybody wants to speak, but not many people want to say they are part of the solution,” he said.
He called for stronger interventions that encourage investment and local participation in energy production and refining.
According to him, safeguarding the region’s resources and focusing on value addition will strengthen the energy sector and reduce dependence on imports.
By Christabel Success Treve
