CEO of Petroleum Hub Development Corporation Assures Compensation and Community Engagement
11 April 2025, Jomoro – The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), Dr. Tony Aubynn, has indicated that the Corporation will provide adequate compensation to farmers and landowners in affected communities. He also assured that the Corporation will adhere to the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) policy regarding land use before the commencement of the project.
According to Dr. Aubynn, this approach will address misunderstandings and ease apprehensions surrounding the project, paving the way for its smooth and timely implementation.
Dr. Aubynn made this known on Thursday, 11 April 2025, when he led his two deputies to meet the Board Chairman of the Petroleum Hub, Awulae Annor Adjaye III, and other traditional rulers in the Jomoro Municipality. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce his team and chart a common path toward ensuring the successful take-off of the project.
He stated that he and his team will engage traditional rulers, farmers, and landowners in the affected communities in open dialogue to reach a reasonable settlement. He emphasized that the project will begin once compensation is paid to landowners.
The CEO also assured that the Local Content Policy will be strictly enforced, with the aim of equipping local youth with skills training for employment in the project. He revealed that five young people from the Jomoro Municipality have already been employed since he assumed office a few weeks ago.
The Chief of Tikobo No. 2, Nana Arvo Nwiah, speaking on behalf of the Standing Committee of the Western Nzema Traditional Council, thanked Dr. Aubynn for the meeting with Awulae Annor Adjaye and his chiefs.
During the meeting, the Committee expressed its desire to see the Petroleum Hub Project take off, as it holds the potential to create jobs and transform the fortunes of Jomoro. Nana Arvo Nwiah noted that the Committee inquired about the compensation funds promised by the former President during the sod-cutting ceremony in August 2024.
Dr. Aubynn confirmed that the funds are available and will be disbursed after thorough engagement with affected landowners. The Committee also urged the CEO and the Board to engage in negotiations with chiefs and landowners regarding the compulsory acquisition of land, which has been a longstanding point of contention.
In addition, the Committee requested that benefits from the project be clearly outlined and shared with the people of Nzema. These include the establishment of a university, construction of good roads and a hospital, and strict enforcement of the Local Content Policy. They also emphasized the stake that the Nzema people have in releasing land for the project.
Nana Arvo Nwiah stressed that the government must engage traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the emerging Petroleum Hub industry to ensure meaningful progress.
The US$60 billion Petroleum Hub Project is expected to create 780,000 direct and indirect jobs and play a significant role in Africa’s energy sector. Already, the government, under President Nana Akufo-Addo, allegedly released US$12 billion to support the first phase of the project, launched in 2024. The Committee emphasized that this amount must be accounted for transparently to the people of Ghana.
By Kodwo Nyamekeh
