The Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mr. Godwin Kudzo Tameklo (Esq.), has underscored the urgent need for Ghana to establish a second Conventional Buoy Mooring (CBM) facility to improve efficiency in petroleum product discharge.
Speaking at a panel discussion during the Africa Oil Week 2025, held from September 15–18 at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra, Mr. Tameklo explained that the additional facility would allow two vessels to berth diesel and petrol simultaneously. According to him, this will significantly reduce delays in discharge and cut demurrage costs, which have long burdened the downstream sector.
“As a regulator, one of the things we are trying to look at is the issue of discharge, which has become a major problem. Thankfully, the Energy Minister, John Abdulai Jinapor, has agreed, and we are at the stage of getting government approval for a second Conventional Buoy Mooring facility,” he said. “The throughput fee alone will have the capacity to repay the investment.”
The NPA CEO also highlighted infrastructure gaps at the Takoradi Jetty, stressing the need for additional storage facilities. He urged the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST) to step in. “Takoradi Jetty can pick not less than 65,000 metric tonnes of products, but the question is, do we have the corresponding storage facility to pick the products when they come? We need critical infrastructure over there,” he cautioned.
Industry stakeholders at the conference echoed similar concerns and outlined plans for sustainable growth. The CEO of Ghana National Gas Company, Mrs. Judith Adjobah Blay, announced that her outfit intends to commercialise pentane gas to align with Ghana’s green transition agenda. “As a country, we do not want to flare gas. A feasibility study into pentane commercialisation is underway, and it has potential for multiple uses,” she noted.
Meanwhile, Tema Oil Refinery’s Managing Director, Mr. Edmond Kombat, assured participants that steps are being taken to modernise operations and return the refinery to profitability. On his part, BOST Managing Director, Mr. Afetsi Awoonor, disclosed that the company is revamping infrastructure and collaborating with Burkina Faso’s SONABHY to supply petroleum products to the Sahel region.
The discussions highlighted a shared industry commitment to align infrastructure development with environmental sustainability and regional cooperation, with many expressing optimism that Ghana is positioning itself as a reliable energy hub for West Africa.
This year’s Africa Oil Week, in its 31st edition, was hosted in Accra for the first time after three decades in South Africa. The event brought together global and regional energy leaders to shape policies, attract investments, and chart the future of Africa’s oil and gas industry.
