The Institute for Energy Security (IES) has congratulated the management and staff of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) following the successful resumption of crude oil refining operations after years of inactivity.

In a statement issued on Monday, December 29 and signed by its Senior Research and Policy Analyst, Xatse Derick Emmanuel, the Institute described the restart of operations as a “historic milestone” that goes beyond the reopening of the refinery.

According to IES, the development “marks the revival of a strategic national asset and a critical turning point in Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector”.

The statement praised TOR’s Managing Director, Edmond Kombat (Esq), and his team for what it called focused leadership and disciplined execution.

It highlighted the completion of the Turnaround Maintenance on the Crude Distillation Unit, the achievement of full regulatory clearance, and the clear roadmap towards restoring and expanding the refinery’s nameplate capacity.

“These are clear reflections of focused leadership, technical competence, and disciplined execution,” the statement said.

IES also commended Mr Kombat’s role in steering the refinery through what it described as a complex revival process. It said his stewardship had shown “exceptional resolve, professionalism, and commitment to national service”.

“Under your leadership, TOR has re-emerged as a viable and operational refinery, reinforcing energy security and reducing Ghana’s exposure to downstream supply risks,” the statement added.

The Institute further acknowledged TOR’s emphasis on safety, regulatory compliance, and operational sustainability, as well as management’s stated plans to stabilise operations and scale up capacity in the medium term.

According to IES, the refinery’s progress demonstrates “what is possible when policy direction, technical rigour, and institutional leadership converge”.

IES expressed confidence in TOR’s future, noting that the refinery’s recovery is expected to deliver “lasting benefits to Ghana’s energy security, industrial growth, and economic resilience”.