The Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery Ltd (TOR), Mr. Edmond Kombat (Esq.), has highlighted significant progress in stabilising the country’s premier refinery, describing recent developments as a testament to disciplined leadership and renewed reset commitment.
His remarks follow comments made by President John Dramani Mahama during an address in Zambia, where the President spoke on the recovery of strategic state institutions.
“In a highlighted address in Zambia, H.E. John Dramani Mahama underscored the stabilisation of the Tema Oil Refinery under the current leadership.”
Mr. Edmond Kombat (Esq.), Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery Ltd (TOR)
He noted that the refinery’s recovery did not occur in isolation but was the result of focused leadership, institutional clarity, and firm direction from the highest levels of government.
Mr. Kombat explained that the tenure of the current TOR management has been shaped by discipline and a realistic assessment of the refinery’s condition.
Facing years of accumulated debt and operational decline, management adopted what he described as an approach grounded in “clarity of purpose and institutional realism.”
This approach, he noted, has allowed the refinery to resume operations and contribute to national energy security, even as broader restructuring efforts continue.
Presidential Direction Anchors the Turnaround
The Managing Director attributed much of the refinery’s stabilisation to strong political leadership and alignment at the top. He pointed to President Mahama’s guidance and consistent support from the Ministry of Energy as critical to restoring confidence and momentum at TOR.
“Reinforced by clear leadership, mentorship, and political direction from the President, alongside consistent support from the sector minister, Hon. Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, this alignment reflects the RESET Agenda articulated by H.E. President Mahama in Zambia.”
Mr. Edmond Kombat (Esq.), Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery Ltd (TOR)
He explained that the RESET Agenda emphasises the need for strategic state institutions like TOR to be deliberately managed and protected, rather than neglected or abandoned during periods of difficulty.
TOR as a Strategic National Asset
Mr. Kombat stressed that the refinery’s revival goes beyond operational metrics, describing TOR as an institution with deep national significance.
According to him, the President’s message in Zambia reinforced the idea that strategic assets must serve the collective good of Ghanaians.
“Strategic state institutions must be deliberately managed, restructured, and protected for the common good of Ghanaians, not abandoned.”
Mr. Edmond Kombat (Esq.), Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery Ltd (TOR)
Energy sector observers say the renewed focus on TOR aligns with broader efforts to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and improve price stability through local refining.
One of the most immediate impacts of TOR’s stabilisation, Mr. Kombat noted, has been the preservation of jobs. He revealed that the refinery’s revival has directly safeguarded 1,144 positions, protecting livelihoods that were previously at risk due to the facility’s prolonged shutdowns.
He added that the refinery’s operations provide a critical platform for skills development and professional growth, especially for graduates seeking hands-on experience in Ghana’s energy sector.
Workforce Commitment Drives Rapid Turnaround
Mr. Kombat paid tribute to the refinery’s workforce, describing their dedication as central to the progress achieved in recent months.
“We also acknowledge the collective dedication and professionalism of the entire refinery workforce, whose commitment has been central to the rapid turnaround achieved in the months following the President’s assumption of office.”
Mr. Edmond Kombat (Esq.), Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery Ltd (TOR)
According to him, this shared sense of purpose has strengthened morale and reinforced TOR’s role as a pillar of national development.
Concluding his remarks, the Managing Director reaffirmed management’s determination to protect TOR as a national asset for future generations. He said the refinery’s stabilisation marks only the beginning of a longer journey toward sustainability and growth.
As Ghana pursues energy security and economic recovery, TOR’s revival is increasingly being viewed as a symbol of what coordinated leadership, institutional discipline, and national vision can achieve.
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