Edmond Kombat reveals TOR sold third-party fuel to pay salaries

Managing Director Edmond Kombat has revealed that the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) illegally sold millions of dollars worth of petroleum products belonging to three third-party companies between 2019 and 2024. These unauthorized sales were reportedly carried out without the knowledge or consent of the product owners. According to Kombat, the refinery resorted to these unlawful measures as a desperate means to cover staff salaries and operational expenses during a period of acute financial instability at the state-owned facility.

The revelations were made during the Government Accountability Series on October 26, 2026, an initiative designed to highlight past mismanagement and provide transparency regarding the operations of state institutions. Kombat detailed how the refinery, under previous management, liquidated the assets of three service providers to maintain its payroll obligations. This period largely coincides with the administration of former President Nana Akufo-Addo, during which TOR faced significant hurdles in maintaining its core refining operations and securing consistent investment.

The unauthorized sale of third-party fuel highlights a systemic failure in corporate governance and asset management at the refinery. By utilizing inventory that it did not own to settle internal debts, TOR damaged its relationship with private sector partners and exposed the government to potential legal action and financial claims. This practice underscores the severity of the liquidity crisis that hindered the facility's ability to operate as a commercially viable entity for several years.

The current management's disclosure is intended to set a baseline for reforms as the government of President John Mahama seeks to revitalize the energy sector. Restoring the integrity of TOR is viewed as a critical step in attracting new strategic partners and ensuring the refinery can contribute effectively to Ghana's energy security. Further investigations may be required to determine the full scale of the financial discrepancies and to establish accountability for the unauthorized liquidation of these assets.