The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has thrown his weight behind the Petroleum Hub project, affirming his strong belief in its potential to transform the Jomoro Municipality and create sustainable employment opportunities for Ghana’s youth.

Mr Buah expressed his renewed confidence during a courtesy call by a delegation from the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), led by its Chief Executive Officer, Toni Aubynn.

According to the minister, his strengthened conviction stems from what he described as major strides made by the John Mahama administration and the PHDC under the leadership of Dr Aubynn and his deputies.

He highlighted the government’s commitment to the project, as well as innovative strategies implemented by the PHDC to secure the financing required to pay compensation following land acquisition — an issue he noted had previously undermined confidence in the project’s feasibility and viability.

Mr Buah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, assured the delegation that he would deploy every available resource and influence at his disposal to realise the vision of establishing Jomoro as the “Rotterdam of Africa”.

He further pledged to engage the leadership of the Lands Commission to fast-track ongoing land processes to ensure swift and efficient acquisition.

The minister also revealed that the government is advancing critical infrastructure projects, including roads and other essential facilities, to prepare the site for the Petroleum Hub.

“I now firmly believe in the Petroleum Hub project,” Mr Armah-Kofi Buah said.

In response, Dr Aubynn expressed appreciation to the minister for his support and confidence in the initiative.

He described the endorsement and pledge to expedite land acquisition as encouraging news not only for the Corporation but also for the people of Jomoro, prospective investors and other stakeholders.

Dr Aubynn noted that, beyond collaborating with relevant agencies to secure the required land, the PHDC is actively engaging investors to secure forward funding for Lot One of the project.

He also commended the Paramount Chief of the Western Nzema Traditional Area and residents of Western Nzema for what he described as their enduring patience and steadfast faith in the project.

Dr Aubynn emphasised the Petroleum Hub’s strategic importance to Ghana’s energy security and its potential to create sustainable livelihoods for more than 700,000 Ghanaians.

The PHDC delegation included Deputy CEO for Operations and Technical, Onasis Rosely; Deputy CEO for Finance and Administration, Halimatu Sadia Abdulai; Director of Legal Affairs, Enoch Aboagye Larbi; Director of Operations and Technical, Kwabena Owusu-Abrokwa; and Advisor on Sustainability and Strategy, Dr Kwame Baah-Nuakoh.