Edmond Kombat Takes the Helm at TOR-A Fresh Push for Turnaround

President John Dramani Mahama has tapped energy strategist and lawyer Edmond B. Kombat as Acting Managing Director of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), signaling a renewed effort to rescue the state-owned facility from years of underperformance. The appointment, confirmed in a presidential letter dated April 29, 2025, arrives at a critical inflection point for TOR, which has long struggled with legacy debt, frequent shutdowns, and insufficient capital investment.

A Track Record in Energy Strategy

Kombat’s elevation follows his earlier promotion this year to Deputy Managing Director of TOR. Observers see his deep familiarity with the refinery’s operations—and his demonstrable success in attracting investment—as key assets. During his tenure as Special Assistant to a previous TOR Managing Director, he helped secure about US$110 million in funding and led reforms credited with saving Ghana roughly US$300 million through optimized operations.

Before joining TOR’s leadership ranks, Kombat co-founded the Institute for Energy Security (IES), where as Director of Research and Policy he sharpened his expertise in the public-private dimensions of Ghana’s energy sector. His analytical stints include roles as an energy analyst at TOR, a business and energy analyst at the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST), and even a summer analyst position at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in 2013.

Credentials That Inspire Confidence

Kombat brings a rare trifecta of technical, financial, and legal acumen to his new post. He holds a Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School, equipping him with global best practices in public sector management. He was called to the Ghana Bar in 2022, bolstering his capacity to navigate complex contract negotiations and regulatory frameworks—skills that will be vital as TOR seeks fresh capital and renegotiates power purchase and crude supply agreements.

Immediate Priorities—Stability, Supply, and Sustainability

In his first public remarks, Kombat emphasized TOR’s strategic importance: “TOR remains a cornerstone of our national energy security. I am committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure its turnaround and long-term sustainability.” Industry insiders anticipate that his initial focus will include:

• Securing Reliable Crude Supplies: Ghana’s refinery has often run below capacity due to inconsistent crude deliveries. Kombat’s proven ability to broker investment deals should help diversify and stabilize feedstock procurement.

• Optimizing Plant Efficiency: Aging infrastructure and maintenance backlogs have hampered throughput. Under Kombat’s technical guidance, TOR may accelerate modernization programs, reduce unplanned downtime, and improve yield.

• Attracting New Funding: With Ghana importing most of its refined products, TOR’s revival could stem costly fuel imports and preserve foreign exchange. Kombat’s track record of mobilizing investor capital positions him well to lead discussions with multilateral lenders, private equity, and strategic partners.

A Renewed Mandate for Reform

Kombat takes over from Dr. Yussif Sulemana, who was reassigned to the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition as a Technical Advisor. While Sulemana’s brief tenure laid groundwork for reform, Kombat’s appointment—rooted in deep sector experience—conveys a clearer mandate: turning TOR into a commercially viable, operationally resilient asset.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Despite the optimism, TOR’s path to full rehabilitation remains steep. The refinery’s nameplate capacity of 45,000 barrels per day has rarely been realized, and its balance sheet still bears the weight of past losses. Moreover, global volatility in oil markets and rising domestic fuel demand underscore the urgency of strategic management.

Yet staff morale appears buoyant. Employees view Kombat’s ascent as a signal of stability after years of leadership churn. As Ghana’s downstream sector faces both supply squeezes and opportunities in regional export markets, Kombat’s blend of legal expertise, financial savvy, and policy insight offers a compelling blueprint for lasting turnaround.

If he can leverage his Harvard-honed public administration skills alongside his proven record in energy finance, Edmond B. Kombat may well steer TOR from its years of uncertainty toward a future as a resilient pillar of Ghana’s energy infrastructure.