Ghana's ambitious Petroleum Hub Project, an initiative of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, continues to take significant steps toward transforming the nation’s petroleum downstream sector into a modern, diversified, and financially sustainable "energy economy."

The Petroleum Hub is expected to ensure that all homes and industries in Ghana have access to reliable, affordable, and environmentally sustainable energy supply while creating 780,000 direct and indirect jobs for Ghanaians.

To ensure the success of this landmark project, the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC) is actively engaged in workforce development, preparing Ghanaians to meet the opportunities that will emerge from the Petroleum Hub.

As part of this effort, Charles Owusu Esq., FCA, Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation, undertook a historic three-day working visit to Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain, where he met with strategic international partners to enhance the capacity of Ghana's workforce and strengthen technical collaboration for the Petroleum Hub.

During his visit, Charles Owusu worked closely with key stakeholders, including Canary Consulting & Trading (CCT), Aurum Global Partners (AGP), and the University of Las Palmas. Having realised the importance of such engagements, these three key institutions were instrumental in facilitating the signing of the cooperation agreement and funding framework. The framework includes Sustainable Energy and Innovation, Sustainable Housing, Sustainable Tourism, and Agriculture.

Both parties signed the agreement on November 4, 2024, at the Foreign Affairs Office of Casa África, Spain.

At the signing ceremony, Casa Africa's president, José Segura Clavell, emphasised that their expertise in sustainable industry, maritime logistics, and sustainable development cannot be underestimated, especially since the port of Las Palmas is a strategic connection between Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

Ghana fosters strong relationship with Casa Africa

He believes that the mission of the visit and cooperation is to foster partnerships that will help build the technical, managerial, and operational capabilities needed for the success of Ghana's Petroleum Hub based in West Africa.

Mr. Owusu commended the Canary Islands Government for its substantial investments in maritime and port infrastructure, particularly the Port de Las Palmas, a pivotal trade and innovation centre.

“We are determined to replicate the success of the Canary Islands by positioning Ghana’s Jomoro Port as the preeminent maritime hub for West Africa and the entire African continent,” He thanked Dr Steven Blessing Ackah and Isidoro Lopez for making the collaboration with the Port de Las Palmas possible, which will help enhance the capacity of the Jomoro Port, reduce transportation costs, and ensure that Ghana becomes the premier investment destination for the petroleum industry in Africa.

On the second day of his visit which was on November 6, 2024, the esteemed guests embarked on a tour of the Port de Las Palmas. During this tour, he had the privilege of exploring the world-class shipyard and maritime facilities. They engaged in a discussion with the local authorities, exploring potential opportunities for technical assistance to enhance the development of the Jomoro Port and align it with global standards.

On the final day, Charles Owusu held a series of significant meetings with leading institutions in Las Palmas, including the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), a recognised centre for sustainable development and maritime innovation.

The discussions centred around potential collaborative opportunities in maritime technology and infrastructure, specifically aimed at enhancing the development of Jomoro Port.

He also met with the ICT Cluster of Companies, a consortium of leading tech firms specialising in digital transformation and maritime logistics, to explore how innovative ICT solutions could streamline operations at Jomoro Port, improving efficiency in goods handling and logistics.

The Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC) is responsible for the strategic planning,
development, and operational management of the Petroleum Hub in Ghana. The Hub project
aims to position Ghana as the leading downstream petroleum and logistics hub in West Africa,
driving economic growth, job creation, and energy sustainability across the continent.