IMANI Africa Urges Government to Protect TOR as Strategic National Asset
President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has called on the government to treat the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) as a critical national asset and insulate it from political interference.
Speaking in a media interview Mr. Cudjoe stressed that the refinery plays a vital role in Ghana’s energy security and must be managed with a long-term national interest rather than partisan considerations.
His comments come at a time of growing global anxiety over the stability of oil supplies, following reports of coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, and retaliatory attacks by Iran on neighbouring countries hosting U.S. military bases. The developments have raised concerns about disruptions to global oil supply chains and the potential for rising fuel prices worldwide.
Mr. Cudjoe noted that such global uncertainties make it even more important for Ghana to strengthen its domestic refining capacity through TOR.
According to him, the government must move quickly to unlock the refinery’s potential, warning that bureaucratic delays and persistent political interference have historically undermined its operations and financial sustainability.
“It is important that we treat TOR as a vital asset,” he said during the interview. “We must find the resources to make it work. In fact, now we should run faster because every day we delay becomes another problem.”
He emphasised that the refinery was originally established to strengthen Ghana’s ability to process crude oil locally and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.
However, he cautioned that political manipulation and poorly structured investment arrangements have repeatedly threatened the refinery’s future.
Mr. Cudjoe argued that the most effective way to revitalise TOR is to attract credible private sector investment.
“The best option is to bring in hard private capital, not the kind of chronic capitalist arrangements that nearly sold it for scraps,” he stated. “We need real private sector players who understand the industry and can help make TOR productive again.”
He concluded by urging policymakers to approach TOR with urgency and professionalism, insisting that safeguarding the refinery is essential to protecting Ghana’s long-term energy security and economic stability
