The Sentuo Oil Refinery's expected production through December 2026 offers a reassuring prospect for Ghana's fuel supply, with the National Petroleum Authority expressing confidence in its operations and the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors calling for stronger domestic refining.
Speaking on JoyNews, the Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority, Mr Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, said the authority was confident that from now until December, there would be consistent production from Sentuo. The interview was published on September 18, 2026.
That outlook gives consumers and transport businesses a specific basis for confidence in expected domestic production during the remaining months of the year.
The Chief Executive of the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors, Dr Patrick Kwaku Ofori, has also recognised the supply-security benefits of having Sentuo and the Tema Oil Refinery operating within Ghana. "Having the two in-country at least reduces the burden of product supply insecurity," he told Citi News.
Dr Ofori estimated that the two refineries could potentially meet between 25 and 30 per cent of national consumption, with imports supplying the remainder. The figure relates to their combined contribution, not Sentuo alone. He called for increased capacity and improved efficiency so that a greater share of Ghana's fuel requirements could be supplied domestically.
Read together, the remarks support a constructive industry outlook in which consistent production at Sentuo would provide an important domestic contribution, while further improvements could strengthen Ghana's ability to withstand disruptions in imported supplies.
For motorists, rising prices and fuel shortages are different concerns. A price increase does not, by itself, establish that fuel is unavailable. The authority's statement addresses expected refinery production, although it is not a guarantee against every possible supply disruption.
Dr Ofori has cautioned that domestic refining does not automatically deliver cheaper fuel because refineries still purchase crude at internationally benchmarked prices. In a separate interview on September 17, he said immediate pump-price reductions arising from the refineries' return were unlikely.
His criticism of the GH¢2-per-litre subsidy formed part of a broader argument for lasting consumer protection. He questioned the distribution of benefits from a blanket subsidy and advocated investment in public transport and an energy strategy extending beyond electoral cycles. He also warned that prolonged global supply constraints could affect Ghana.