President John Dramani Mahama has cut the sod for the construction of Phase II of the Sentuo Oil Refinery, a major expansion project expected to boost Ghana’s refining capacity, strengthen energy security and create thousands of jobs.
The sod-cutting ceremony, held on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at the Sentuo Oil Refinery Limited facility, was attended by the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, China’s Ambassador to Ghana, Cong Song, Executive Chairman of Sentuo Oil Refinery, Xu Ningquan, as well as other government officials and industry leaders.
The Phase II project will increase the refinery’s processing capacity from 40,000 barrels per day to 100,000 barrels per day, positioning Ghana as one of the leading petroleum refining hubs in West Africa and the Sahel.
Speaking at the ceremony, Energy and Green Transition Minister John Abdulai Jinapor described the expansion as a major milestone in Ghana’s drive to add value to its petroleum resources and accelerate industrial growth.
According to him, the project will significantly boost employment opportunities across the country.
“More importantly, we are creating jobs. From my discussion with the chairman, the employment level will move from about 700 or 800 to 1,500 upon completion of this refinery,” Mr. Jinapor stated.
He said the expansion aligns with government’s broader agenda to strengthen the country’s energy sector, promote local value addition and enhance economic resilience.
Executive Chairman of Sentuo Oil Refinery, Xu Ningquan, described the commencement of Phase II as a defining moment in Ghana’s industrial development.
He said the project reflects the country’s transition from exporting raw materials to creating value through domestic refining and industrial processing.
According to him, the expanded refinery will not only improve fuel production but also create thousands of direct and indirect jobs in engineering, construction, transportation, logistics and petroleum-related services.
The refinery’s increased capacity is also expected to reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products while supporting the country’s long-term energy security and economic transformation agenda.
The Phase II expansion forms part of ongoing efforts to position Ghana as a strategic energy and industrial hub in the sub-region while attracting more investment into the downstream petroleum sector.
More photos below:
READ ALSO:
Obaatanpa Radio condemns alleged attack on station, reports incident to police
Government may drop case to free Sedina Tamakloe – Sam Pyne alleges
