The Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), Dr Toni Aubynn, has declared 2026 as “the year of action” for Ghana’s ambitious Petroleum Hub project, signaling a decisive shift from planning to implementation.
According to him, the year will mark the beginning of tangible, site-based activities in Jomoro in the Western Region, where the multi-billion-dollar project is to be located.
Dr Aubynn explained that years of preparatory work are now expected to culminate in visible progress on the ground, making 2026 a defining moment for the Corporation and the project at large.
“2026 is a critical year for the Petroleum Hub.
“It’s a year we want to see action. We want to move from talk to action, and we are very hopeful that this will happen.”
Dr Toni Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer of the PHDC
The PHDC CEO noted that the Corporation is shifting its focus from conceptual planning, policy alignment and stakeholder engagement to actual groundwork at the project site.
He described the coming year as a milestone that would test the readiness of the project after extensive groundwork carried out over the past few years.
According to Dr Aubynn, the decision to prioritise on-site implementation reflects the Corporation’s confidence in the preparatory processes undertaken so far, including regulatory work, investor engagements and strategic partnerships.
“2026 represents a critical milestone for us as we begin to see real activity in Jomoro,” he stated, stressing that the project is now positioned for takeoff.
Strong Presidential Backing
Dr Aubynn attributed much of this confidence to the consistent support of President John Dramani Mahama, whom he described as a key driver behind the project’s momentum. He recalled a meeting with the President in November 2025, noting that significant progress has been made since then.
“I am confident things will happen this year thanks to the vision of the President. The President has been very supportive.
“People may not see the open support he gives us, but he has been extremely supportive. We are very hopeful that this is the year we move from talk to action.”
Dr Toni Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer of the PHDC
The PHDC CEO indicated that presidential backing has helped clear bottlenecks and align government institutions behind the project, bringing the Corporation closer to achieving major development milestones.
Beyond the Presidency, Dr Aubynn highlighted what he described as unflinching support from key sector ministers and senior government officials.
“We have also seen the unflinching support of our Minister, Hon. Dr John Jinapor.
“He has been very supportive and is always seeking opportunities for the project to take off.”
Dr Toni Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer of the PHDC
He also acknowledged the contributions of the Deputy Minister of Energy, Hon. Richard Gyan-Mensah, and the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, whose collaboration he said has been critical to project readiness.
Building Momentum Through Stakeholder Engagement
In 2025, the PHDC intensified efforts to raise awareness and deepen stakeholder understanding of the Petroleum Hub project.
Under Dr Aubynn’s leadership, the Corporation embarked on a vigorous visibility campaign that included participation in major summits and conferences, as well as extensive engagements with local and international stakeholders.
These activities also involved meetings with potential investors across the globe, aimed at positioning Ghana as a competitive destination for large-scale petroleum and petrochemical investments.
Dr Aubynn noted that these engagements were essential in building confidence and aligning interests ahead of the implementation phase.
Having laid what he described as a strong foundation in 2025, the PHDC CEO expressed optimism that 2026 would see major activities commence at the Jomoro site, reinforcing Ghana’s ambition to become a regional energy hub.
The Petroleum Hub project, estimated at $60 billion, is designed to serve Ghana, the West African sub-region and the broader African continent.
The hub will include three refineries with a combined capacity of 900,000 barrels per stream day, five petrochemical plants, extensive storage facilities and multiple jetties to support import and export operations.
Once completed, it is expected to enhance regional energy security, drive industrialisation and create sustainable employment opportunities.
As 2026 journeys, expectations are high that Ghana’s long-envisioned Petroleum Hub will finally transition from ambition to reality, with Jomoro set to become the focal point of one of Africa’s most significant energy infrastructure projects.
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