President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s ambitious Petroleum Hub Project is making strides toward transforming Ghana’s petroleum downstream sector into a modern, diversified, and financially sustainable “energy economy.”
Designed to provide all homes and industries with a reliable, affordable, and environmentally sustainable energy supply, the hub is projected to create 780,000 direct and indirect jobs for Ghanaians.
Supporting the project’s success, the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC) is focusing on workforce development, preparing Ghanaians for new opportunities arising from the hub.
To advance these goals, Charles Owusu Esq., FCA, CEO of the PHDC, recently completed a landmark three-day working visit to Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain, where he met with strategic international partners to enhance workforce capacity and strengthen technical collaboration for the project.
While in Las Palmas, Charles Owusu collaborated closely with key partners, including Canary Consulting & Trading (CCT), Aurum Global Partners (AGP), and the University of Las Palmas. These institutions played a pivotal role in facilitating the cooperation agreement and funding framework focused on Sustainable Energy and Innovation, Sustainable Housing, Sustainable Tourism, and Agriculture.
The agreement was signed by both parties on November 4, 2024, at the Foreign Affairs Office of Casa África, Spain.
Highlighting their expertise in sustainable industry, maritime logistics, and development, Casa Africa’s president, José Segura Clavell, noted that the port of Las Palmas serves as a strategic link between Africa, Europe, and Latin America.
Strengthening ties with Casa Africa, Ghana seeks to foster long-term relationships that enhance the technical, managerial, and operational capacities necessary for the hub’s success in West Africa.
Acknowledging the Canary Islands Government’s significant investment in maritime and port infrastructure, Mr. Owusu praised the Port de Las Palmas as a key center of trade and innovation.
“We are determined to replicate the success of the Canary Islands by positioning Ghana’s Jomoro Port as the preeminent maritime hub for West Africa and the entire African continent,” He thanked Dr Steven Blessing Ackah and Isidoro Lopez for making the collaboration with the Port de Las Palmas possible, which will help enhance the capacity of the Jomoro Port, reduce transportation costs, and ensure that Ghana becomes the premier investment destination for the petroleum industry in Africa.
On November 6, 2024, the second day of his visit, Charles Owusu toured the Port de Las Palmas alongside esteemed hosts. He explored the port’s advanced shipyard and maritime facilities and engaged with local authorities to discuss possible technical support opportunities aimed at elevating the Jomoro Port to international standards.
Concluding his visit, Charles Owusu held key meetings with leading institutions in Las Palmas, including the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), known for its expertise in sustainable development and maritime innovation. The discussions focused on potential partnerships in maritime technology and infrastructure to advance the development of Jomoro Port.
He also met with the ICT Cluster of Companies, a network of top tech firms specializing in digital transformation and maritime logistics, to explore innovative ICT solutions that could optimize Jomoro Port’s operations, enhancing logistics and the handling of goods.
The Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC) oversees the strategic planning, development, and operational management of Ghana’s Petroleum Hub. This landmark project aims to establish Ghana as West Africa’s premier downstream petroleum and logistics hub, promoting economic growth, job creation, and energy sustainability across the region.