Petroleum Hub, an example of a 24-economic – Dr Toni Aubynn,
The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), Dr Toni Aubynn, has stated that the planned Petroleum Hub project was a clear example of a 24-hour economy and shows how the government’s main economic plan would work in practice.
The 24-hour economy policy, a central feature of the current administration’s development agenda, seeks to promote around-the-clock operations in selected industries to enhance productivity, competitiveness, and employment creation.
Dr Aubynn noted that the Petroleum Hub aligns perfectly with this vision, symbolising the kind of large-scale, transformative initiative required to anchor the country’s industrial and economic renewal.
Speaking during an interview on Onua TV, Dr Aubynn explained that the project was being designed to operate continuously day and night to maximise productivity, generate sustainable employment, and secure Ghana’s energy future.
He indicated that the Petroleum Hub, when fully operational, was expected to create over 780,000 direct and indirect jobs for Ghanaians, particularly the youth.
Drawing from global examples, he cited Singapore’s refinery and petrochemical hub, which created over 80,000 jobs during its initial construction phase, as a model of how such projects can transform national economies.
According to Dr Aubynn, the Petroleum Hub project, estimated at about 60 billion dollars, would not only boost industrialisation but also position of the country as a key player in Africa’s petroleum and petrochemical value chain.
“We are committed to realising the President’s vision of creating decent and sustainable jobs for the nation’s youth, the Petroleum Hub is a classic 24-hour economy project that will operate around the clock to drive growth and competitiveness,” he said.
The Acting CEO disclosed that the PHDC was taking deliberate steps to ensure that Ghanaians, particularly residents of the Jomoro enclave in the Western Region where the project will be sited, were adequately trained to take up employment opportunities within the hub.
“To that end, the Corporation is negotiating partnerships with training institutions in Canada, Malaysia, and Singapore to develop the human capital needed to operate and manage the hub’s sophisticated infrastructure.”
“We are determined to ensure this project benefits Ghanaians. Our aim is to avoid overreliance on foreign labour by training and equipping our people with the requisite technical skills,” he emphasised.
The Petroleum Hub Development Corporation was established under the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation Act, 2020 (Act 1053) to spearhead the establishment of a world-class petroleum and petrochemical hub in Ghana.
The initiative forms part of the country’s long-term vision to become a leading energy and petrochemical centre in West Africa, promoting innovation, research, and strategic infrastructure development.
The Petroleum Hub will comprise three oil refineries with a total processing capacity of 900,000 barrels per stream day, five petrochemical plants with a combined capacity of 90,000 barrels per stream day, storage facilities of about 10 million cubic metres, and at least two jetties to support import and export operations.
When completed, the project is expected to boost Ghana’s refining capacity, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products, and enhance regional energy security.
It will also serve as a catalyst for ancillary industries, including logistics, shipping, engineering services, and manufacturing, thereby creating multiplier effects across the economy.
BY CECILIA YADA LAGBA
