TOR Begins Operations Fully Next Year

The Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta has revealed that the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) will resume full operations in the first quarter of 2018.

TOR, Ghana’s only refinery, has been plagued with funding challenges which have resulted in several shutdowns.

But addressing the 3rd Aliu Mahama memorial lectures in Accra, Mr. Ofori Atta said government is working to ensure the Tema Oil Refinery is properly positioned to perform a strategic role in the petrochemical industry.

“Our oil and Gas fields provide us with the perfect opportunity to create a petrochemical industry in Ghana. To do so we will have to leverage our oil and gas resources and develop different assets as a vision in a plan to create a petrochemical hub in Western region.

“I am happy to say that things are changing, latest by the first quarter 2018, we expect the TOR to run continuously again”, he said.

Financial Independence

Mr. Ofori-Atta also said it is imperative that Ghana attains financial independence from foreign donors for the sake of its dignity.

According to him, given the country’s place in the history of Africa and the role the country plays on the continent, it would be embarrassing for Ghana not to achieve complete autonomy from aid from Western and Eastern superpowers.

“Ghana is a beacon to countries across Africa. We led the way to independence, and it is our moral duty to continue being a positive role model. Besides, we cannot continue going to our colonial master’s cup-in-hand forever,” he said.

“Our dignity as a people is at stake. Ghana should not be poor.