The Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), Dr Toni Aubynn, has charged development planners in the country to actively champion the promotion and successful development of the Petroleum Hub project.
Speaking at the 54th Annual General Conference of the Ghana Institute of Planners in Tamale on Thursday, November 27, 2025, under the theme “The Role of Economic Hubs in Stimulating Growth and Creating New Employment Pathways – Insights from Ghana’s Petroleum Hub Project,” Dr Aubynn insisted that planners have a pivotal role to play in the project’s success.
He stressed that development planners are duty-bound to educate and raise public awareness about the transformative potential of the Petroleum Hub on Ghana’s socio-economic landscape, and encouraged them to serve as ambassadors for the initiative.
He cited the hub’s potential of providing a sustainable solution to the galamsey menace as a key message that the development planners could propagate to ensure national acknowledgement and support of the project.
Dr Aubynn further underscored the critical role of planners in both the developmental and operational phases of the project, reiterating the PHDC’s openness to close collaboration with the planning community.
“The Petroleum Hub holds the future of the transformation of this country, and the development planners must get involved in educating the country. They must also participate in the development of the petroleum hub project,” he said.
Addressing concerns about political interference, Dr Aubynn allayed fears that the project could fall victim to changes in government, pointing out that it enjoys overwhelming support across the political divide.
He gave firm assurance that the administration of President John Dramani Mahama is fully committed to delivering the Petroleum Hub, adding that land acquisition processes are at an advanced stage.
“We had issues with securing the land, but we are close to resolving that. The government will soon issue an EI to secure the land, and compensation will be paid. The Petroleum Hub project is not lacking investors. We have MoUs with some investors and also have proper agreements with some of them to anchor the project,” he said.
The conference, themed “Shaping Ghana’s Tomorrow: The Role of Planning in Driving Economic Growth, Job Creation, and Sustainable Urban Development,” has brought together planners, policymakers, and government officials to deliberate on strategies to strengthen the profession and advance national development.
About the PHDC
The Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC) was established under the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation Act, 2020 (Act 1053) to lead the development of a world-class petroleum and petrochemical hub in Ghana. The hub is intended to serve the energy needs of the West African sub-region and the broader continent.
PHDC aims to promote innovation, research, and strategic infrastructure development to meet Africa’s growing demand for petroleum products and services. By creating an integrated petroleum value chain, the Corporation seeks to unlock economic opportunities, foster industrial growth, and create sustainable employment for Ghanaians and citizens across Africa.
About the Petroleum Hub Project
The Petroleum Hub Project, estimated at $60 billion, will be located in Jomoro, in Ghana’s Western Region. The hub will comprise: Three refineries with a total capacity of 900,000 barrels per stream day (BPSD),
Five petrochemical plants with a minimum capacity of 90,000 BPSD. Storage tanks with a cumulative capacity of 10 million cubic meters and at least two jetties to support import and export activities.
The project is poised to position Ghana as a leading petroleum and petrochemical hub in Africa, enhancing regional energy security and economic integration.
