"Dr. Yusif Sulemana Appointed Acting MD of Tema Oil Refinery Amid Reform Push"

Dr. Yusif Sulemana Appointed Acting MD of Tema Oil Refinery Amid Reform Push

Dr. Yusif Sulemana has officially assumed office as the Acting Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) following a formal handover from outgoing MD Kofi Tagoe Mocumbi on February 10, 2025.

In a statement published on TOR’s website, Dr. Sulemana reaffirmed the company’s commitment to operational efficiency and strategic growth. He emphasized stakeholder engagement as a core priority, stating, “People should come first. At the center of everything we do are our stakeholders, including our cherished staff, business associates, clients, and the communities we serve.”

Key Challenges and Industry Outlook

Dr. Sulemana steps into his role at a critical time for TOR, which has struggled to maintain full operational capacity amid increasing competition from private refineries. The challenge ahead will be revitalizing TOR’s production levels—a move that analysts argue could stabilize domestic fuel prices and enhance Ghana’s energy security.

Despite multiple restructuring efforts, TOR has faced financial constraints and operational inefficiencies, leaving significant room for reforms under the new leadership.

Profile of Dr. Yusif Sulemana

Dr. Sulemana brings over 20 years of global experience in the upstream, midstream, and downstream energy sectors, with expertise spanning oil and gas production, refinery process optimization, and alternative energy.

He currently serves as a Senior Oil & Gas Production Operations Specialist at Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) and has previously worked with Genser Energy (Gasification Project Manager) and TOR (Chemical/Process Engineer).

His academic credentials include:

• Doctorate in Business Administration (Energy Management) – USA
• MSc in International Oil & Gas Management – UK
• BSc in Chemical Engineering – KNUST, Ghana

Recognized as a leading energy analyst in Ghana, Dr. Sulemana was recently awarded Energy Advocate of the Year at the Ghana Energy Awards.

His appointment signals a renewed push for reform at TOR, with expectations high for a turnaround strategy that ensures operational efficiency, financial sustainability, and long-term viability.