TOR: Edmond Kombat Reveals How 2016 Crude Was Left Unrefined and Sold at a Discount

According to a report by Channel One News published on November 11, 2026, Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) failed to refine an indigenous crude oil consignment delivered to its facility in December 2016, with the oil subsequently sold at a discounted price, according to the refinery’s Managing Director, Edmond Kombat.

Edmond Kombat made the disclosure during an interview with Bernard Avle on Channel One Television’s The Point of View programme on Wednesday, November 11.

He explained that the crude oil was supplied to TOR under the administration of former President John Dramani Mahama and arrived at the refinery on December 23, 2016, shortly before the change of government.

According to the Managing Director, the timing of the delivery coincided with the political transition, leaving the consignment in the refinery’s storage facilities without being processed.

He said information available to the current management indicated that the crude was eventually sold at a discounted price instead of being refined locally.

“In 2016, President Mahama actually ensured that there was an indigenous crude that was supplied to TOR for refining. But it came around the 23rd of December 23, 2016, and by that time there was a transition. And so it was left in the storage of TOR. And we couldn’t refine it. But it was delivered,” Edmond Kombat stated.

He added that the information available to management suggested that the crude was discounted before being sold.

The Managing Director also provided figures on the refinery’s historical operations and financial position. He said TOR processed approximately five million barrels of crude oil during President Mahama’s first term, while its debt reportedly declined from US$650 million to about US$300 million by January 2017.

He attributed the debt reduction to an arrangement involving the Energy Sector Levies Act (ESLA). However, Edmond Kombat said the refinery’s debt later increased to US$517 million, while its accumulated losses reached GH¢10 billion.

He explained that the current management was documenting TOR’s operational and financial history to provide future management teams with a clearer understanding of the challenges facing the refinery.

He stressed that efforts to sustain the refinery’s recovery should continue regardless of which political party is in government, adding that the institution’s progress should not be interrupted by changes in political leadership.

The disclosure comes as TOR intensifies efforts to restore its refining operations and increase domestic production of petroleum products.

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