NPA CEO’s Strategic Visit to Sentuo Oil Refinery: Strengthening Regulatory Oversight and Local Content Integration
NPA CEO Godwin Kudzo Tameklo led a regulatory visit to Sentuo Oil Refinery on January 5, 2026, reinforcing sector oversight. The visit spotlighted Sentuo as Ghana’s first new refinery in over 60 years, boosting fuel supply and market competition. The NPA emphasized strict compliance with international health, safety, and environmental standards. The delegation called on Sentuo to deepen local content by increasing Ghanaian participation.
Tema, Ghana | January 6, 2026 - The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mr. Godwin Kudzo Tameklo Esq., led a regulatory delegation on a working visit to Sentuo Oil Refinery in Tema on January 5, 2026. This engagement formed part of the NPA’s comprehensive familiarisation tour of key petroleum installations across Ghana, aimed at enhancing regulatory collaboration and ensuring adherence to established standards in the downstream petroleum sector.
During discussions with Sentuo’s management, Mr. Tameklo lauded the refinery’s operational role in diversifying Ghana’s refining capacity, which until recently had been reliant predominantly on the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR). Sentuo’s commissioning in January 2024 marked a significant milestone, representing the country’s first new refinery in over six decades and contributing directly to improving fuel supply stability and market competition.
Mr. Tameklo underscored the imperative of maintaining robust regulatory oversight to safeguard investor interests and consumer protection. He emphasized the necessity for compliance with international health, safety, environmental, and operational standards, underscoring that regulatory diligence remains non-negotiable despite the sector’s rapid expansion. This regulatory rigor ensures that refinery operations not only meet Ghana’s legal frameworks but also align with best practices globally.
A central focus of the visit was a call to action for Sentuo to deepen local content integration, encouraging the refinery to increase the participation of Ghanaian professionals, contractors, and service providers. This approach aligns with national policy directives aimed at maximizing domestic value retention, fostering skills development, and bolstering economic linkages within Ghana’s petroleum sector.
The NPA CEO reiterated the Authority’s commitment to fostering a compliant, competitive, and resilient downstream petroleum market. The visit exemplifies the proactive regulatory posture necessary to support sector growth while ensuring operational excellence and sustainability.
Background: Sentuo Oil Refinery and Ghana’s Downstream Sector
Sentuo Oil Refinery, located within the Tema Industrial Area, was commissioned in January 2024 following significant private sector investment. With a stated capacity of 120,000 bpd, it plays a critical role in supplementing Ghana’s fuel supply chain. The refinery’s operations contribute to reducing import dependency and provide competitive pricing pressure within the domestic market, complementing the Tema Oil Refinery’s output.
The National Petroleum Authority, established under the Petroleum (Downstream Sector) Act, 2010 (Act 691), is mandated to regulate, oversee, and monitor the downstream petroleum sector in Ghana. The Authority’s functions include licensing, compliance monitoring, and fostering sustainable sector growth in line with government policy.
