China has thrown its weight behind Ghana’s ambition to achieve energy self-reliance, describing the country’s commitment to processing its natural resources locally as a crucial step towards industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.
Speaking at the commissioning of Phase Two of the Sentuo Oil Refinery Project in Tema, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Cong Song, praised the government’s plan to end raw mineral exports by 2030 and refine crude oil from the Jubilee Oil Field domestically.
He said the strategy aligns with the shared objective of deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between Ghana and China.
According to the Ambassador, Ghana’s determination to add value to its natural resources demonstrates a clear commitment to industrial upgrading and economic transformation. He noted that China’s support for the country’s energy agenda reflects the longstanding partnership between the two nations in advancing development through strategic investment.
“This commissioning represents not only a significant step forward in advancing Ghana’s petrochemical industry but also stands as a symbol of Chinese enterprises’ strong commitment to the industrialisation and modernisation of Ghana,” he stated.
The newly commissioned expansion will increase the refinery’s processing capacity from 40,000 to 100,000 barrels of crude oil per day, significantly strengthening Ghana’s ability to produce refined petroleum products locally. The project is also expected to reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuel while reinforcing energy security.
Mr. Cong described the expansion as a milestone for Ghana’s petrochemical industry and a testament to the confidence Chinese enterprises continue to place in the country’s industrial future. He expressed optimism that the refinery would strengthen Ghana’s petroleum value chain while creating new opportunities for economic cooperation between the two countries.
Beyond meeting domestic fuel demand, the expanded refinery is expected to position Ghana as a leading petroleum refining hub in West Africa, supporting regional fuel supply and enhancing the country’s competitiveness within the sub-region’s energy market.
The Ambassador further indicated that the project builds on the strategic consensus reached between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President John Dramani Mahama during their meeting in Beijing last October, a development that has accelerated bilateral cooperation across key sectors.
President John Dramani Mahama attended the commissioning ceremony, which marks another major investment in Ghana’s efforts to expand industrial capacity, strengthen energy resilience and promote value addition within the petroleum sector.
