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By: Edward Graham Sebbie
The role of Ghana as a petroleum hub for the sub-region is growing, with Burkina Faso now sourcing 40% of its national fuel consumption through Ghana.
This was disclosed when a delegation from Burkina Faso’s state oil company, Sonabhy, paid a working visit to the Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), Edmond Kombat, at Tema.
The two sides used the meeting to explore ways to deepen cooperation in petroleum trading, supply and logistics across West Africa.
The Sonabhy delegation also paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, to thank President John Dramani Mahama and the Government of Ghana for supporting the movement and supply of petroleum products to Burkina Faso.
Mr. Kombat said the relationship between TOR and Sonabhy has grown steadily over the years and has become critical in facilitating fuel trade through Ghana to the Burkinabe market.
He noted that since President Mahama returned to office in 2024, the share of Burkina Faso’s petroleum supplied via Ghana has jumped from about 15% to 40%, a clear sign of stronger institutional collaboration.
According to him, the growth highlights Ghana’s increasing importance as a strategic petroleum supply and trading hub in West Africa, with potential to expand cross-border trade, strengthen commercial partnerships and boost regional energy security.
For TOR, he said, closer collaboration with Sonabhy offers a pathway to expand its market, grow revenue and cement its place in the West African petroleum value chain.
Sonabhy’s Managing Director, Dr. Patrice Forogo, commended the growing partnership and reaffirmed his commitment to increasing fuel trade through Ghana. He expressed optimism that future cooperation between the two companies would generate additional revenue from mutually agreed transactions and services.
Dr. Forogo also congratulated Mr. Kombat on his appointment and wished him success in executing the President’s mandate for TOR.
The discussions form part of broader efforts among regional players to improve product supply arrangements, deepen commercial relationships and ensure reliable fuel supply in the face of rising demand.
The visit ended with a tour of key facilities at TOR, including the utilities area, tank farm, new Safety Block, Quality Control laboratory and the F-61 furnace at the Crude Distillation Unit. The tour gave the delegation first-hand insight into TOR’s operations, infrastructure and ongoing development works.
