Ghana’s PHDC Convenes Landmark Inter-Agency Dialogue to Fast-Track $60B Petroleum Hub Vision

Ghana’s vision to establish itself as a leading petroleum and petrochemical hub for West Africa took a decisive leap forward on April 30, 2025, as the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC) hosted its inaugural Inter-Agency Dialogue at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra.

Billed under the theme “Building the Energy Hub of Choice: Unlocking Synergies for a Globally Competitive Petroleum and Petrochemical Hub,” the summit brought together high-ranking government officials, regulatory agencies, and strategic partners to tackle one of the sector’s most critical hurdles - inter-agency coordination.

The dialogue is part of PHDC’s broader mandate to mobilize an estimated $60 billion in investment for the development of Ghana’s planned Petroleum Hub in the Western Region. Once completed, the hub is expected to house state-of-the-art refineries, storage terminals, and petrochemical plants - serving both domestic needs and regional markets.

Deputy Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Hon. Richard Gyan-Mensah, opened the summit with a clear statement of national intent. “Ghana’s geographic advantage, political stability, and existing infrastructure offer a compelling case for establishing a world-class petroleum hub,” he said. “The project is transformational - not just for energy security, but for trade, employment, and Ghana’s positioning in the global energy market.”

He also acknowledged the bureaucratic roadblocks that have long hindered energy-sector progress, pointing to overlapping mandates and sluggish approval processes. “This dialogue aims to bridge that gap,” the Minister added. “Collaboration is no longer optional - it is imperative.”

Dr. Toni Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer of the PHDC, reinforced the urgency for alignment across institutional silos. “The success of the Petroleum Hub depends on harmonized public-private execution,” he said in his keynote address. “We must present a seamless, coordinated front to international investors or risk missing a once-in-a-generation opportunity.”

The Minister for Trade and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, echoed these sentiments, situating the Petroleum Hub within Ghana’s broader trade agenda. “This project is not just about energy,” she said. “It is about reimagining Ghana’s role as a continental anchor for petrochemical trade and industrialization.”

A high-level panel discussion featured the heads of Ghana’s key regulatory and infrastructure bodies - the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA), and Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA). All pledged unified support for streamlining licensing and permitting, a known pain point for energy developers operating in frontier markets.

Opening and closing remarks were delivered by Halimatu Sadia Abdulai Abu, Deputy CEO for Finance and Administration, and Onasis Rosely, Deputy CEO for Operations and Technical, respectively. Both emphasized the PHDC’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and investor engagement.

The summit concluded with a joint pledge from participating agencies to align workflows, reduce administrative inertia, and actively champion Ghana’s petroleum future.

As the energy world pivots toward cleaner fuels and geopolitics reshapes supply chains, Ghana’s Petroleum Hub could emerge as a rare constant - a continental anchor with global reach, built on coordination, ambition, and strategic foresight.