Western Region traditional leaders have thrown their full support behind Dr. Toni Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), as he spearheads efforts to establish the country’s first-ever petroleum hub.
During a high-level engagement at the Western Regional House of Chiefs in Sekondi, the chiefs commended Dr. Aubynn’s wealth of experience in both the mining and petroleum industries, expressing confidence in his ability to successfully execute the project.
They highlighted the massive economic benefits the hub would bring, including job creation and positioning Ghana as a key player in Africa’s energy sector.
Calls for PHDC headquarters to be based in Western Region
The President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, Nana Kwabena Nketiah IV, reiterated his appeal for PHDC’s headquarters to be established in the Western Region, arguing that such a move would demonstrate the government’s commitment to the project and align with the region’s rich energy resources.
He also criticised the persistent trend of locating corporate headquarters in Accra, stating: “It is quite disheartening that almost every headquarters ends up in Accra. We need decentralisation to ensure regions contributing to the economy benefit directly from such projects”.
Commitment to youth development and employment
In response, Dr. Aubynn reaffirmed President John Dramani Mahama’s vision to transform Jomoro into “the Rotterdam of Ghana”, a major energy hub that would serve the nation and the West African sub-region.
He stressed that beyond infrastructure development, PHDC is committed to building the capacity of local youth to ensure they are well-prepared for employment when construction commences.
“With the right training, young people in Jomoro and beyond will not only secure jobs within the hub but also gain skills that make them competitive in the global job market,” Dr. Aubynn assured.
During the meeting, the chiefs also raised concerns about the timely payment of compensation to affected communities before the project’s full-scale implementation.
Dr. Aubynn assured them that President Mahama is fully committed to ensuring prompt compensation. “The President has directed me to expedite all compensation payments because we cannot claim ownership of the land without fulfilling our obligations to those affected,” he stated.
Regional Minister backs petroleum hub initiative
In a related development, Dr. Aubynn paid a courtesy call on the Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, at the Western Regional Coordinating Council.
The meeting was to introduce the PHDC leadership and reaffirm the government’s commitment to fast-tracking the hub project.
Mr. Nelson congratulated Dr. Aubynn on his appointment, acknowledging his extensive leadership experience in both the public and private sectors. He pledged full support for the initiative, emphasising the hub’s potential to drive industrialisation and economic transformation in the region.
Petroleum hub: A game-changer for the energy sector
Once operational, the Petroleum Hub is expected to enhance energy accessibility, reliability and affordability in Ghana and across West Africa. With an estimated 700,000 direct and indirect jobs, the project is poised to transform Ghana’s energy landscape while fostering regional economic integration.
President John Dramani Mahama has tasked Dr. Toni Aubynn and his team with accelerating the project’s development to ensure its swift realisation, solidifying Ghana’s position as a major energy powerhouse on the continent.
