The Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC) has taken a significant step in pushing Ghana’s ambitious petroleum hub dream closer to reality by engaging traditional leaders and stakeholders in the Jomoro Municipality. The visit, led by the Chief Executive Officer of PHDC, Dr Toni Aubynn, was not only symbolic but also strategic, aimed at building trust and assuring the community of the project's importance and benefits.
Dr Aubynn, along with his deputies Onasis Rosely and Halimatu Sadia Abdulai Abu, paid a working visit to the project site at Nawule and met with local leaders and residents. This outreach is part of a broader plan to create an integrated petroleum hub in Jomoro, envisioned to become the “Rotterdam of Africa.” With its vast 20,000-acre allocation, the area is poised to become a powerhouse in Africa's energy space.
During the visit, Dr Aubynn reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to seeing the petroleum hub project through. He emphasised that the success of the initiative is not just a national goal but a regional transformation agenda that will turn Jomoro into a vibrant economic zone. He made it clear that this is not just another government promise but a bold vision with actionable plans.
One of the highlights of the outreach was the assurance of local content prioritisation. According to Dr Aubynn, Jomoro residents will be first in line for technical jobs and opportunities that arise from the project. A skills training initiative will soon be rolled out to equip the youth with relevant expertise, ensuring they can tap into employment opportunities when operations commence.
In an emotional address, the CEO appealed to the people of Jomoro to have faith in the project and allow the process to unfold smoothly. He acknowledged the concerns of landowners and farmers affected by the acquisition and assured that compensation plans were being finalised, with efforts underway to secure the necessary funding.
Adding their voice to the dialogue, traditional leaders, including Nana Avo Nwia, Chief of Tikobo Number Two and a key member of the Standing Committee, dismissed any misconceptions suggesting that the local chiefs were against the project. Instead, they expressed support, citing the experience and leadership of Dr Aubynn as a key reason for their confidence in the PHDC's vision.
The chiefs called on the government and the PHDC to speed up the compensation process and ensure that the development benefits truly reach the people. With the support of the chiefs and the community, the petroleum hub project appears to be gaining the momentum it needs to proceed with confidence.
The mood in Jomoro is shifting. There is a renewed sense of hope, especially among the youth, that this development could open a new chapter of opportunity. The groundwork is being laid not just for infrastructure, but for a transformation that could define the region’s future for generations.
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