President John Mahama has appointed Edmond B. Kombat as the Acting Managing Director of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR). This decision follows the reassignment of Dr. Yussif Sulemana to the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, as detailed in a letter dated Tuesday, April 29, 2025, signed by the President’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Callistus Mahama.
Dr. Sulemana will transition to a role as a Technical Advisor at the Ministry after a brief leadership period at the state-owned refinery. This change comes at a pivotal time for TOR, which is currently facing challenges such as legacy debts, extended operational downtimes, and an urgent need for capital investment. Mr. Kombat’s appointment is viewed as a strategic move to revitalize the refinery’s position within the nation’s energy framework.
An accomplished lawyer and seasoned energy strategist, Mr. Kombat was appointed Deputy Managing Director of TOR earlier this year. His rise to the acting managing director position is perceived as part of a broader initiative to stabilize leadership and enhance TOR’s operational significance.
As a co-founder and former Director of Research and Policy at the Institute for Energy Security (IES), Kombat possesses a distinctive blend of technical, financial, and legal knowledge. He earned a Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School and was admitted to the Ghana Bar in 2022. Previously, he served as Special Assistant to a former TOR Managing Director, playing a key role in securing approximately US$110 million in investments and implementing operational reforms that reportedly saved the country around US$300 million.
In his initial remarks following the appointment, Mr. Kombat stated, “TOR remains a strategic national asset. I am committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure its turnaround and long-term sustainability.”
The refinery, which has a nameplate capacity of 45,000 barrels per day, has struggled to meet its potential for years due to outdated infrastructure, inconsistent crude oil supplies, and ongoing financial challenges. Ghana currently relies heavily on imports for its refined petroleum products, a situation that officials warn threatens energy security and depletes foreign exchange reserves.
Mr. Kombat’s professional journey encompasses both public and private sectors. In addition to his leadership role at IES, he has worked as an energy analyst at TOR and as a business and energy analyst at the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST). His experience also includes a summer analyst position at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in 2013.
His appointment is anticipated to initiate a new chapter of strategic collaboration with investors, regulatory bodies, and industry partners. With Ghana’s fuel consumption on the rise and global oil markets remaining unpredictable, the revival of TOR is increasingly recognized as a national priority. Mr. Kombat is expected to concentrate on enhancing crude procurement, optimizing plant efficiency, and securing new funding sources.
While the challenges facing TOR are multifaceted, many observers believe this leadership transition presents a unique opportunity to re-envision the refinery’s future and its role in Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector. The decision has been positively received by staff, who view Mr. Kombat’s promotion as a move toward stability and renewed focus.
