Ghana to refine crude Oil for Oil producing countries

Aboadze (W/R), Aug 20, GNA- Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, Minister of Energy, on Wednesday said Ghana would soon refine crude oil from Equatorial Guinea and other oil producing countries in Africa and re-sell the product to them.

He said the construction of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) coupled with the large technical and human resource base of the country, makes Ghana an ideal location for refining of crude oil for countries without the facilities.

Dr Nduom said this when he interacted with workers of the Aboadze Thermal Power station near Takoradi.

He said experts from Ghana would visit Equatorial Guinea within the next three weeks to begin talks on the refinery project. Dr Nduom told the workers to explore other viable business opportunities in the sub-region, by using their expertise to develop and manage power stations in neighbouring African countries.

Dr Nduom advised workers of the Volta River Authority (VRA) not to let their "personal and other parochial issues get in the way. Problems will arise but you must channel them through the appropriate authority for redress."

"What happens to the Volta River Authority Chief Executive, the Board, management and workers depend solely on the President and would be based on what is in the best interest of the country," he said. Dr Nduom said the Energy Reform Committee, would hold extensive consultations and education on the reforms.

He said the establishment of a Joint Venture Company under the ongoing reform programme is aimed at merging all sections of the Thermal station into one major component.

Dr Nduom assured them that the reform is aimed at "creating more job opportunities and not meant to reduce the staff strength." He said arrangements for the financing of the steam component of the Tico 2 Plant is progressing.