October 6, 2025, The Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), Dr. Tony Aubynn, has responded to growing public concern over land acquisition for Ghana’s ambitious Petroleum Hub Project, assuring affected communities that compensation and resettlement will be fair, transparent, and lawful.
Dr. Aubynn made the remarks during an exclusive interview on TV3 Ghana on Sunday, October 5, 2025, where he outlined progress on the project and addressed issues raised by chiefs, youth, and residents of the Jomoro District in the Western Region.
The Petroleum Hub is one of Ghana’s most transformative industrial ventures.
It aims to establish a fully integrated oil and gas processing zone with refineries, storage terminals, petrochemical plants, and a modern township.
When completed, the hub will position Ghana as a major energy and petrochemical center for West Africa, creating an estimated 700,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The project, initially conceived under the late President John Evans Atta Mills, was advanced by former President John Dramani Mahama, and continues under the current administration showing rare political continuity across governments.
While national interest in the project grows, the land acquisition process remains a flashpoint among local communities.
The government, through the Ministry of Energy and the Lands Commission, is seeking to acquire about 20,000 acres of land in the Jomoro enclave to host the hub.
However, residents and traditional authorities have expressed anxiety over loss of farmlands, ancestral property, and unclear compensation procedures.
Some chiefs have also demanded a comprehensive compensation framework and full consultation before signing off on any land transfer.
In the interview, Dr. Aubynn admitted that community tension and mistrust were understandable but stressed that government was committed to due process.
“Government does not yet own the land,” he clarified.
“We are working through the Lands Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to acquire it properly. Compensation will be fair, lawful, and transparent.”
He added that no community will be displaced arbitrarily and that most of the land to be used is undeveloped or sparsely populated.
A social and environmental impact assessment is being conducted to ensure the project benefits locals and preserves the environment.
Dr. Aubynn also explained that a valuation process had already estimated the compensation between ₵900 million and ₵1.1 billion, covering both land and structures.
However, he cautioned that how the compensation is used will be as important as the amount.
“If you give people large sums without guidance, it can create problems. We want the money to truly work for them,” he said.
One of the main disagreements centers on how much land the hub actually needs.
President John Mahama recently directed that the project utilize 5,000 hectares (about 13,000 acres) instead of the full 20,000 acres initially proposed.
According to Dr. Aubynn, this aligns with environmental and practical considerations.
“About one-third of the 20,000 acres is wetland,” he noted.
“Those areas will be protected for environmental reasons and may even support carbon credit initiatives.”
He said the smaller footprint will still accommodate refineries, storage tanks, and petrochemical industries, while reducing compensation costs and environmental impact.
Dr. Aubynn reaffirmed that the Petroleum Hub is a private-sector-led project.
The government’s role is to secure the land, create a favorable regulatory environment, and allow investors to finance and operate the facilities.
So far, over 70 international companies have expressed interest, with 40 currently in active discussions and two investors already signing agreements for Phase One.
A Qatari company is also set to build a fertilizer plant, supported by an offtake arrangement with the Ministry of Agriculture.
“We have gone far,” Dr. Aubynn said.
“Sometimes we don’t talk plenty because when you talk, you create expectations. But progress is being made quietly.”
Despite reassurances, residents and civil society groups continue to call for greater transparency in how land ownership disputes, compensation payments, and community benefits will be handled.
Observers warn that Ghana must avoid repeating the delays and mistrust seen in past land-related projects.
Local leaders are urging the PHDC to publish clear timelines, valuation reports, and community development plans to keep stakeholders informed.
“This project will only succeed if the people of Jomoro trust that their land is being taken for their benefit, not their loss,” Dr. Aubynn concluded.
The Petroleum Hub’s first phase, valued at around US$12 billion, includes a refinery, petrochemical plant, port facilities, and tank farms.
The full project could attract up to US$60 billion in investment over the next decade.
If executed responsibly, the Petroleum Hub could redefine Ghana’s energy landscape and transform Nzema’s local economy but only if the land acquisition process remains fair, transparent, and inclusive.
As Ghana moves forward with this historic industrial project, Nzematoday TV will continue to follow developments closely, ensuring that the voices of Nzema’s people remain at the center of the national conversation.
For the people of Jomoro, this project is more than an investment it is a test of how fairly development can coexist with local rights and dignity.
By Nzematoday TV
