The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has described the Sentuo Oil Refinery as a strategic national asset that will significantly strengthen Ghana’s industrial base and reduce the country’s reliance on imported petroleum products.
Speaking at the refinery’s first-ever Jubilee Crude Oil Berthing Ceremony in Tema on Monday, June 8, 2026, the minister said the facility marks a major milestone in Ghana’s drive towards industrialisation and value addition in the petroleum sector.
Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare noted that the arrival of crude oil from the Jubilee Field at a local refinery for processing represents a historic moment for the country.
“There are moments in a nation’s life that deserve to be marked with gratitude, and today is one of those moments. For the first time in Ghana’s history, crude oil from the Jubilee Field has arrived at a Ghanaian refinery for processing. This is a significant step in our journey towards industrialisation and economic self-sufficiency,” she stated.
The minister highlighted that Ghana has for years exported raw crude oil only to import refined products at prices dictated by external markets. She expressed confidence that local refining will help retain more economic value in the country while creating linkages across several sectors.
“Every barrel refined here creates linkages to transportation, agriculture, manufacturing and infrastructure. It supports jobs, strengthens businesses and improves livelihoods for Ghanaian families,” she added.
Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare commended Sentuo Oil Refinery for investing nearly two billion dollars in the project at a time when many investors were cautious about large-scale industrial ventures in the country.
“We thank Sentuo for its confidence in Ghana. Your conviction that Africa must stop exporting raw materials and begin creating value from its own resources is not just a business philosophy; it is a patriotic act for the continent,” she said.
She disclosed that government is working to build a broader industrial ecosystem around the refinery, including petrochemical plants, fertiliser production and plastics manufacturing to maximise benefits from the facility.
The minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting the refinery and revealed that recent discussions with Chinese partners have generated strong interest in additional industrial projects.
She assured the management of Sentuo of her ministry’s full support in facilitating future investments and expansion plans, while paying tribute to engineers, technicians, workers, and stakeholders such as the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and the Petroleum Commission for their contributions.
“Ghana’s best days are not behind us. They are being built right now through facilities like this one. Let this ceremony send a clear message to the world: Ghana does not only extract resources; Ghana refines, processes and creates value,” Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare concluded.