Accra, Ghana – Sentuo Oil Refinery is expected to receive approximately one million barrels of crude oil from the Jubilee Field for local processing in a move aimed at strengthening Ghana’s refining capacity, enhancing energy security, and reducing the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products.
The development was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), Duncan Amoah, who described the decision as a strategic step toward protecting Ghana from ongoing disruptions in the global energy market.
According to him, refining locally produced crude within the country will help reduce the high costs associated with importing refined fuel products while ensuring that more value remains within the Ghanaian economy.
Speaking on the initiative, Amoah said the government’s decision comes at a crucial time when geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to impact global fuel supply chains and drive up shipping and insurance costs.
He explained that it is economically prudent for Ghana to refine its crude oil domestically rather than exporting it for processing abroad and subsequently importing the finished products at higher costs.
“This is one of the most sensible decisions the government could take under current global conditions. With local refineries capable of processing crude oil, it makes economic sense to supply them directly instead of sending crude overseas for refining and buying back the finished products,” he stated.
Amoah further described the allocation of crude oil to Sentuo Refinery as a significant milestone in Ghana’s efforts to improve fuel security and shield consumers from the effects of volatile international oil markets.
He revealed that the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) is also expected to receive a similar volume of crude oil by the first week of July, a move that would ensure a more reliable supply of feedstock for domestic refining operations.
While welcoming the government’s intervention, Amoah called for similar opportunities to be extended to smaller modular refineries operating in the country, including Platon Refinery and Akwaaba Refinery.
He noted that supporting these facilities would increase local participation in the downstream petroleum sector and contribute to meeting industrial demand for refined products.
According to him, broader access to crude supplies for local refiners could help improve efficiency within the sector while creating additional economic opportunities.
Amoah also emphasized that maintaining regular crude allocations to domestic refineries could help moderate fuel prices over time by reducing Ghana’s exposure to costly freight and insurance charges currently affecting global petroleum trade.
He pointed out that concerns surrounding international supply routes, including the strategic Strait of Hormuz, continue to create uncertainty in energy markets and place upward pressure on fuel costs worldwide.
He therefore urged the government to sustain the policy throughout the year to help cushion consumers from rising fuel prices and strengthen the country’s long-term energy resilience.
Industry observers believe the initiative represents a growing commitment to maximizing the benefits of Ghana’s crude oil production through local value addition, while positioning the country to better withstand external shocks in the global energy sector.