Edmond Kombat ( right_)
The Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), Edmond Kombat, has appealed to the Parliamentary Committee on Energy for urgent support to help resolve key financial and operational challenges facing the state-owned refinery.
Appearing before the Committee to present TOR’s 2025 work plan and challenges, Kombat disclosed that the refinery is targeting a return to operations in October 2025.
He noted that while preparations are underway—including upgrades to the Gantry and Terminal and the continuation of projects started under the previous administration—certain financial hurdles must be addressed to ensure a successful restart.
Key among the MD’s appeals were calls for the restructuring of TOR’s debts using ESLA (Energy Sector Levies Act) receivables, converting Government of Ghana debts into equity, reinstating the refinery’s share of the ESLA Levy, and allowing TOR to participate in the primary distribution margin. He also urged the Committee to advocate for TOR to be granted representation on the Laycan Committee, which oversees the scheduling of petroleum imports.
Committee Chairman and MP for Ho West, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, emphasized that the engagement forms part of Parliament’s oversight responsibilities over energy sector agencies.
The Committee is expected to assess TOR’s requests and explore possible interventions that will help reposition the refinery for sustainable operations.
TOR’s planned return to refining is seen as a key step toward reducing Ghana’s reliance on imported petroleum products and strengthening domestic energy security.
