The Government of Ghanaโs decision to reduce the land size of the Petroleum Hub project from 20,000 acres to 12,300 acres has been welcomed by traditional and political authorities in Jomoro Municipality and the wider Western Region.
This follows an extensive high-level stakeholder engagement exercise conducted by the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC) ahead of upcoming mapping and surveying activities by the Lands Commission in Jomoro.
From Thursday, April 9 to Saturday, April 11, 2026, the PHDC team, led by Chief Executive Officer, Dr Toni Aubynn, engaged heads of traditional, political, and administrative bodies in the Western Region on the latest resizing efforts, which will pave the way for acquisition, compensation and development of the Petroleum Hub project.
The delegation relayed governmentโs decision and explained why the new direction would not affect the integrity of the project.
Visit to the Western Regional House of Chiefs
The first stop for the PHDC delegation was a courtesy call on the Western Regional House of Chiefs on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
During the meeting held at the Houseโs office in Sekondi-Takoradi, Dr. Toni Aubynn highlighted the significant progress made since the PHDCโs engagement with President Mahama in November 2025.
According to Dr. Aubynn, one key outcome of that engagement was a presidential directive to reduce the size of the allocated land following a hue and cry by some community members.
He noted that PHDC has been working closely with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources through the Lands Commission to implement the Presidentโs directive.
He explained that preliminary work by the Lands Commission had made it necessary for PHDC, as Hub managers, to engage all relevant stakeholders in the Western Region to keep them informed about the timelines for the land acquisition process, among others.
He disclosed that the land size for the project is being reduced from the original 20,000 acres to 12,300 acres and assured the chiefs that this reduction would not compromise the integrity, development, or operational efficiency of the project.
Dr. Aubynn further assured the chiefs that the Petroleum Hub project continues to attract strong interest from investors who are ready to commit substantial funds once the land acquisition process is finalized.
In response, the President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, Nana Kobina Nketia V, described the PHDCโs visit as timely, especially given recent geopolitical developments that underscore the importance of ambitious infrastructure projects like the Petroleum Hub.
In line with tradition and custom, the PHDC made donations to the institution.
Courtesy Call on the Western Regional Minister and Regional Coordinating Council
Dr. Toni Aubynn and his delegation also paid a courtesy call on the Western Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Nelson, to brief him on the project and seek his support.
Dr. Aubynn explained that following the Presidentโs directive to reduce the project land size from 20,000 acres to 12,300 acres, the PHDC and the Lands Commission have made significant progress in the land acquisition process.
He noted that the process has now reached a critical stage, with on-site activities expected to commence soon.
For this reason, the PHDC deemed it necessary to engage the Regional Minister and other key stakeholders to keep them updated on developments.
Dr. Aubynn commended Hon. Joseph Nelson for his sustained interest and proactive support for the Petroleum Hub project, particularly his consistent follow-ups.
He assured the Minister that the PHDC is making steady progress and emphasised the importance of continuous stakeholder engagement.
Hon. Joseph Nelson welcomed the update, describing it as progressive and reassuring. He expressed confidence that the development would help restore faith among the people of Jomoro and the wider Western Region.
The Regional Minister said he was pleased with the progress report on the land resizing and acquisition process, noting that it demonstrated a serious commitment to the project.
He also lauded Dr. Toni Aubynn for his visionary and dedicated leadership, stating that his tenure has brought renewed energy and momentum to the initiative.
Courtesy Call on the Paramount Chief of the Western Nzema Traditional Authority and Chiefs of Affected Communities
From Sekondi-Takoradi, the PHDC delegation proceeded to Jomoro, where they first called on the Paramount Chief of the Western Nzema Traditional Authority, Awulae Kwasi Armahchi III, his council of elders, and chiefs from the communities within the Petroleum Hub enclave.
Disclosing the purpose of the visit, Dr. Toni Aubynn stated that the delegation had come to brief the Awulae and his elders on the key milestones achieved so far and to seek his blessings for the work to be undertaken by the PHDC and the Lands Commission as part of the acquisition process.
Awulae Kwasi Armahchi III commended the PHDC for the visit, which he said demonstrates the Corporationโs commitment to strengthening relationships with his office.
He assured them that his office would give the project maximum support.
Awulae Kwasi Armahchi III expressed some reservations about the decision to reduce the land size but assured that if the government and the PHDC are convinced that the new land size will spur the development of the project, the Western Nzema Traditional Council will give it their overwhelming endorsement.
He urged the PHDC and the government not to heed outside noise but to continue engaging the chiefs, who are ever willing to support the project due to their belief in its capacity to transform the area.
Awulae Armahchi III said that he has set out to bring unity, employment, and progress to the Jomoro area and sees the Petroleum Hub project as a key opportunity to realise his dreams for the area.
He offered prayers for the PHDC leadership, seeking divine guidance and blessings for them as they navigate the challenges confronting the development of the Petroleum Hub project.
Visit to Jomoro MCE
From the Awulaeโs palace, Dr Toni Aubynn and his team visited the Municipal Chief Executive of Jomoro, Hon. Benedict Boadi, and other leaders within the municipality.
Hon. Benedict Boadi assured them that the assembly would do its part in the development of the project. He noted that the assembly had received reports of encroachment on some lands designated for the project and was working to retrieve them.
Having been informed of the impending visits by the Lands Commission, Hon. Boadi stated that the Municipal Assembly would make available personnel and logistics to support the work of the Lands Commission officials.
Other Activities
Dr Toni Aubynn also visited the project office, where he addressed staff and extensively engaged selected media personnel and bloggers within the Jomoro enclave.
The team also visited the project site to inspect the boundaries and familiarise themselves with the size of the land.
