Dr Toni Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), says the Corporation has secured strong investor interest and partnerships for the establishment of the multi-billion-dollar Petroleum Hub Project at Jomoro in the Western Region.
He said more than 70 local and foreign investors had so far expressed interest in the project, with 45 demonstrating concrete commitment to participate in its development.
“In fact, two companies have already signed a 12-million-dollar agreement to develop phase one of the hub,” Dr Aubynn revealed in an exclusive interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA).
He disclosed that the PHDC had signed an agreement with a Qatar-based and Ghanaian partnership to construct a fertiliser plant within the hub. “The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, has agreed with the company to take all the fertilisers that will be produced,” he added.
Dr Aubynn further stated that the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry had shown strong interest in the industrial and agribusiness components of the project.
He noted that while substantial groundwork and documentation for the hub had been completed, the Corporation was working to resolve land ownership and compensation issues to ensure smooth implementation.
“We still have the issue of land disputes. We are trying to finalise arrangements for the land and not use crude tactics to take the land for the hub,” he said, urging the youth of Jomoro to remain patient and focus on compensation and training opportunities rather than the size of the land.
Dr Aubynn stressed that environmental sustainability was a key priority for the Petroleum Hub Project. “Lowering or reducing carbon footprint is very dear to the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, so most of the ancillary activities will be powered by solar energy,” he said.
He explained that about one-third of the 20,000-acre site earmarked for the project comprised wetlands and lagoon areas, which would be preserved to maintain ecological balance.
“This hub intends to maintain and create opportunities around it and not destroy it. We are also thinking about a green hydrogen source of power. Basically, the hub will be powered by gas, but we are considering carbon restriction initiatives to balance fossil fuel use with green efforts,” he added.
Dr Aubynn emphasised that Africa‘s energy transition must be gradual and tailored to the continent’s developmental realities. “Africa contributes only four per cent to global emissions, so we cannot be punished for what others did wrong. The green transition must adjust to our context,” he said.
Reflecting on his vision for the project, Dr Aubynn expressed optimism that Ghana would soon witness tangible progress at the site.
“Even if I don’t see it all in my time as CEO, I pray to see the start of this hub project and the direction becoming clear. If people can drive to Jomoro and say that they are building the petroleum hub, that will satisfy my soul,” he said.
The Petroleum Hub Project, when completed, is expected to position Ghana as a leading oil and gas services centre in West Africa, driving industrialisation, job creation, and economic growth.
