The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has revealed that this morning, a procession of Ghanaian officials in their formal attire made their way to the Sentuo refinery, a new Chinese-led venture, situated a mere 500 meters away from the beleaguered Tema Oil Refinery (TOR). 

The privately-owned Sentuo refinery, set to have a daily capacity of 100,000 barrels upon completion, symbolises a missed opportunity for Ghana as it cedes control to foreign investors.

The Executive Secretary of COPEC, Duncan Amoah, in a statement, said TOR, once a vital contributor to Ghana's Gross Domestic Product, now stands neglected and on the brink of obsolescence. 

He said advocates, including the General Transport Petroleum and Chemical Workers Union of TUC and TOR employees, have long pleaded for attention to safeguard jobs and ensure petroleum security.

However, their calls appear to have fallen on deaf ears as officials seemingly favour private ventures over revitalising the country's own asset, he intimated.

''In a global context, petroleum refining is synonymous with profitability and ensuring petroleum security. 

"Yet, in Ghana, the narrative takes a disheartening turn as the government seemingly supports private refineries, relinquishing control and economic advantages to foreign entities;" the statement noted.

According to the statement, the decline of TOR, once a symbol of national pride, is evident in its dilapidated state, while the commissioning of a new private refinery takes precedence. 

Critics argue that this stark contrast signals a disregard for TOR's historical significance and economic potential, the statement noted.

The statement explained that a Former Energy Minister's comments and recent events further fuel concerns about a deliberate effort to consign TOR to oblivion, as officials endorse private ventures with enthusiasm. 

Once a key contributor to Ghana's GDP, TOR now faces neglect, prompting concerns about the government's commitment to safeguarding domestic assets, Mr Amoah said in the statement.

Workers at TOR, who hoped for its revival, are met with the irony of official vehicles bypassing their workplace for the commissioning of a private facility, he observed. 

This development has sparked criticism, with many urging Ghanaian officials to re-evaluate their priorities and take swift action to rectify the situation, the statement added.

Observers highlight the need for the government to uphold its fiduciary duty, ensuring economic sectors are revitalised rather than further surrendered to foreign influence, reminiscent of challenges faced in other sectors like Telecom and Banking, the statement said.