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President Akufo-Addo breaks ground on $12 Billion Petroleum Hub Project
In a significant move poised to reshape Ghana’s energy landscape, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has broken ground on the first phase of the ambitious Petroleum Hub Project.
The ceremony, held on August 19, 2024, in Nawule, Jomoro, Western Region, marks the commencement of a transformative journey aimed at creating a modern, diversified, and financially sustainable energy economy for the country.
The Petroleum Hub Project, which carries an estimated total cost of $12 billion, is designed to elevate Ghana’s standing as a key player in Africa’s energy sector. The hub, which will be developed in three independent phases, is set to include a 300,000 barrels per day (bpsd) refinery, a petrochemical plant, and extensive storage and port facilities. The project’s scale and ambition highlight Ghana’s commitment to addressing its energy challenges and leveraging its resources for long-term growth.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, President Akufo-Addo expressed his optimism about the project’s potential to transform Ghana’s economy. “Today is a very good day for our homeland, Ghana. This project promises to be a cornerstone of our nation’s development, ensuring that all Ghanaian homes and industries have access to reliable, affordable, and environmentally sustainable energy.”
The President underscored the strategic importance of the project, noting that it would not compete with existing refineries in the region but rather complement them, with a focus on serving the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market. The hub is expected to create approximately 780,000 direct and indirect jobs, stabilize the national currency, and stimulate local economic development.
President Akufo-Addo also highlighted the environmental considerations embedded in the project, emphasizing the incorporation of cutting-edge technology and green buffers to support local fauna and flora.
The President directed the Ministry of Energy to ensure the training of 200,000 skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled Ghanaians in preparation for the project’s takeoff, with a significant portion of these workers coming from the Jomoro area.
“We envision a facility that will be a benchmark for crude and petroleum product pricing in Africa,” he stated, stressing the project’s alignment with global environmental sustainability standards.
The first phase of the project, led by the TCP-UIC Consortium, represents a crucial step towards achieving Ghana’s energy goals. The consortium, comprising several international and local partners, has been chosen for its technical expertise and financial capacity to deliver on the project’s ambitious timelines. President Akufo-Addo assured the consortium of the government’s full support, stating, “Your success is our priority.”
In addition to the economic and environmental benefits, the project is expected to have a profound social impact, particularly in the Jomoro enclave. The President announced the allocation of GH¢200 million by the Ministry of Finance for land compensation to affected communities, recognizing the generous contributions of the Chiefs and people of Jomoro who have offered their land for the project.
President Akufo-Addo commended their dedication and collaboration, which have been instrumental in bringing the project to fruition. He called on all stakeholders to unite in making the Petroleum Hub Project a reality, emphasizing its importance for future generations.
The project is also expected to lead to the establishment of the Jomoro Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (JPHDC), with its headquarters in Jomoro.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by key stakeholders, including government officials, traditional leaders, and representatives from the private sector.
As Ghana embarks on this bold initiative, the Petroleum Hub Project stands as a testament to the nation’s determination to achieve energy independence, economic diversification, and sustainable development.
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has announced the commencement of enforcement of the National Identity Register (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2523), warning institutions that fail to comply with the new requirements of possible fines of up to 2,000 penalty units.
The Authority says it will deploy a Biometric Verification Implementation Task Force to inspect institutions and ensure they comply with the regulations, following the expiration of a three-month grace period granted to businesses and public institutions.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Monday, November 2, 2026, the NIA’s Corporate Affairs representative, William Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, said the Authority had completed its public education and stakeholder engagement activities and was now moving into the enforcement and compliance monitoring phase.
He explained that the regulations require institutions that verify the identities of customers or applicants as part of their operations to use the NIA’s approved biometric verification platform instead of relying solely on visual inspection of the Ghana Card.
Under the new rules, institutions are prohibited from photocopying, scanning or keeping copies of the Ghana Card for identity verification purposes.
Mr Darlas stressed that simply collecting a customer’s Ghana Card, looking at the photograph and comparing it with the person presenting it would no longer be accepted as a valid method of identity verification.
He, however, clarified that the Ghana Card remains the country’s official national identity document and that citizens are not required to register for a new card or capture their biometrics again under the new regulations.
He said the new system is intended to reduce identity fraud, impersonation and other crimes by ensuring that the person presenting the Ghana Card is the actual owner.
According to him, the biometric verification process will rely on information already captured during Ghana Card registration, including fingerprints, iris details and facial features stored in the card’s chip.
Mr Darlas warned institutions against using third-party companies or individuals to access the NIA’s identity verification platform, insisting that the Authority does not work with intermediaries.
He said institutions seeking access to the National Identity Register must deal directly with the NIA and complete its official onboarding process.
The process requires institutions to prove that they are legally registered companies in Ghana, obtain certification from the Data Protection Commission and work with the NIA’s technical team to establish the necessary connection to its platform.
He further cautioned institutions already connected to the platform against subletting their access to other businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
He disclosed that the Authority had received reports of some institutions providing their verification services to other businesses without the NIA’s approval and warned that those involved would face legal action.
Mr Darlas said organisations that fail to comply with L.I. 2523 could face fines ranging from 500 to 2,000 penalty units, depending on the nature of the offence.
He explained that the NIA does not have the authority to impose the fines directly but would take offenders to court for the appropriate punishment.
He indicated that Institutions found guilty could also face additional administrative measures, including being barred from accessing the NIA’s verification platform in the future.
The NIA representative further clarified that the new regulations do not prohibit all institutions from physically using the Ghana Card during transactions.
The Managing Director of the Ghana Publishing Company Limited, Nana Kwesi Boatey, has revealed how he transformed a major overstaffing challenge into a success story through the government’s 24-Hour Economy initiative.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, November 2, Mr. Boatey disclosed that when he assumed office in February 2025, and inherited a bloated workforce of 250 employees doing work that could be efficiently handled by 150 people, a situation that created serious liquidity challenges for the state-owned company.
Instead of resorting to downsizing, he adopted an innovative approach by instituting a 24-hour operational system.
Under the new system, staff were redistributed across three shifts: 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and 10 p.m. – 4:30 a.m.
This not only ensured optimal use of labour but also maximized machine utilization and improved overall output.
According to him, the single move redefined the productivity culture within the company, reinforcing discipline, accountability, and efficiency.
The Ghana Publishing Company’s turnaround is being cited as a practical example of how the 24-Hour Economy policy can drive growth without job losses.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
