The Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), Dr Toni Aubynn, says the Corporation has secured significant investor interest and partnerships towards the establishment of the multi-billion-dollar Petroleum Hub Project at Jomoro in the Western Region.

 He said over 70 local and foreign investors had so far expressed interest in the project, with 45 demonstrating a strong commitment to participate in its development.  

“In fact, two companies have already signed a 12-million-dollar agreement to develop phase one of the hub,” Dr Aubynn disclosed in an exclusive interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA).  

He revealed that the PHDC had agreed with a Qatar-based and Ghanaian partnership to construct a fertiliser plant within the hub.   

“The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, has agreed with the company to take all the fertilisers that will be produced,” he stated.  

Dr Aubynn further noted that the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry had expressed keen interest in the industrial and agribusiness components of the project.  

He said that while substantial groundwork and documentation for the hub had been completed, the Corporation was currently addressing issues related to land ownership and compensation to ensure smooth implementation.  

“We still have the issue of land disputes. We are trying to finalise arrangements for the land and not use crude tactics to take the land for the hub,” he said, urging the youth of Jomoro to remain patient and focus on compensation and training opportunities rather than the size of the land.  

Dr Aubynn emphasised that environmental sustainability remained central to the Petroleum Hub Project, saying: “Lowering or reducing carbon footprint is very dear to the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, so most of the ancillary activities will be powered by solar energy.”  

He disclosed that about one-third of the 20,000-acre site earmarked for the project comprised wetlands and lagoon areas, which would be preserved to maintain the ecological balance.  

“This hub intends to maintain and create opportunities around it and not destroy it. We are also thinking about a green hydrogen source of power. Basically, the hub will be powered by gas, but we are considering carbon restriction initiatives to balance fossil fuel use with green efforts,” Dr Aubynn explained.  

He stressed the need for Africa’s energy transition to be gradual and tailored to its developmental realities.   

“Africa contributes only four per cent to global emissions, so we cannot be punished for what others did wrong. The green transition must adjust to our context,” he noted.  

Reflecting on his vision for the project, Dr Aubynn said he was optimistic that Ghana would soon see physical progress at the site.  

“Even if I don’t see it all in my time as CEO, I pray to see the start of this hub project and the direction becoming clear. If people can drive to Jomoro and say that they are building the petroleum hub, that will satisfy my soul,” he said.  

The Petroleum Hub Project, when completed, is expected to position Ghana as a leading oil and gas services centre in West Africa, promoting industrialisation, job creation, and economic growth.