Jomoro Member of Parliament Dorcas Affo-Toffey has welcomed the signing of the Phase Two agreement for Ghana’s US$28 billion Petroleum Hub project, describing it as an opportunity to transform the local economy and create lasting opportunities for residents.
The agreement was signed by the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC) and an international consortium led by Global Sphere. It is expected to support the development of Lot Two of the strategic national project under a Build-Operate partnership arrangement.
Ms Affo-Toffey, who is also Deputy Transport Minister, attended the signing ceremony alongside the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, the Western Regional Minister, PHDC’s leadership and board, and traditional authorities from Jomoro and the wider Nzema area.
The Petroleum Hub is central to Ghana’s plans to strengthen its role in the petroleum and energy sector. Its development is expected to attract investment, encourage industrial expansion and generate opportunities across several areas of the economy.
For Jomoro and the wider Western Region, the project is also seen as a potential driver of economic activity, employment and infrastructure development.
Ms Affo-Toffey said the agreement must result in practical benefits for the people of Jomoro, particularly young people, local businesses and communities affected by the project.
She said the expected investment could create routes into employment, technical and professional training, business ownership and participation in the petroleum industry value chain.
The MP also underlined the need for local companies to secure a meaningful share of the work linked to the project. This could include supplying goods and services, construction, logistics, technical support and other related activities.
She reaffirmed her commitment to promoting policies and practical measures that would allow residents to participate fully in the project instead of being left on the margins of the expected economic changes.
According to Ms Affo-Toffey, the success of the Petroleum Hub should be judged not only by the size of the investment it attracts, but also by its effect on livelihoods, household incomes, local enterprise and the long-term economic outlook for communities in Jomoro.
She highlighted skills development and targeted training as important preparations for young people seeking jobs that may become available as the project moves forward. She also stressed that local involvement in the emerging industrial value chain would be essential if the benefits were to extend beyond the hub’s immediate operations.
The signing represents a significant stage in the project’s development, with the partnership expected to help progress its next phase.
Ms Affo-Toffey said continued co-operation between government institutions, project authorities, traditional leaders and host communities would be required to deliver the anticipated economic and social benefits.
She added that she would continue working with stakeholders to position Jomoro to benefit from the project, particularly through employment, entrepreneurship, technical training and infrastructure development.
