Lands for Petroleum Hub project are stool lands and not family-owned - Western Nzema Chiefs
The Western Nzema Traditional Council has rejected claims that lands earmarked for Ghana’s Petroleum Hub project are family-owned, stressing that the lands in question are Stool lands held in trust for the people.
Speaking during the official visit of the Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), Dr Toni Aubynn, and his team to the Jomoro Municipality on Friday, the Council clarified that the lands belong to the Stools and not individual families, as suggested by a section of the public opposing the project.
Delivering a message on behalf of Awulae Annor Adjaye III, President of the Western Nzema Traditional Council, Nana Avo Nwia, Chief of Tikobo Number 2 and a member of the Council’s Standing Committee, described the opposition claims as misleading and unhelpful to national development.
“We want to set the record straight: these lands are under the authority of our Stools and are held in trust for the people of Nzema. They are not family properties. Any assertion to the contrary is factually incorrect and only seeks to create confusion,” he emphasised.
The clarification comes amid growing public interest in the Petroleum Hub project, which is expected to transform Ghana’s energy sector, attract billions in investment, and create thousands of jobs—particularly for residents in the Western Region.
Nana Avo Nwia reaffirmed the Traditional Council’s support for the project and expressed confidence in the leadership of Dr Aubynn and the PHDC team to ensure the realisation of this transformative initiative. He urged all stakeholders to unite behind the project and refrain from peddling misinformation that could derail its progress.
Dr Toni Aubynn, in his remarks, welcomed the Council’s endorsement and reiterated PHDC’s commitment to full stakeholder engagement and local participation. He assured the chiefs and people of Jomoro that the Corporation was working diligently to secure funding for compensation and skills development to ensure that residents benefit directly from the project.
“Our visit here is to reaffirm our commitment and build trust with the people of Nzema. The Petroleum Hub will not only position Ghana as a strategic energy hub in Africa but also bring long-term socio-economic benefits to communities like Jomoro,” Dr Aubynn stated.
The Petroleum Hub project is a key pillar of President John Dramani Mahama’s industrialisation agenda and is expected to include refineries, petrochemical plants, and associated infrastructure.