TEMA, Ghana, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday commissioned the completion of the first phase of a Chinese-built oil refinery in Tema, a port city in southern Ghana.

       The Sentuo Oil Refinery, which was built by a private Chinese company, is expected to provide thousands of jobs after the two-phased project is completed.

       Addressing the gathering, Akufo-Addo said the authorization of the refinery to be set up in the country represented Ghana's quest to secure its energy future.

       "The refinery will not only provide a stable supply of petroleum products but also create jobs, empower local communities, and drive investment in related industries, contributing to the realization of our vision of industrialization," added Akufo-Addo.

       He further emphasized that the establishment of the refinery is a product of the long-standing relations between Ghana and China.

       Chinese Ambassador to Ghana Lu Kun observed that the commissioning of the refinery is a continued commitment of the Chinese business community to invest in Ghana for economic growth, emphasizing that China and Ghana have maintained solid and close ties.

       "Developing solidarity and cooperation with African countries, including Ghana, has been the cornerstone of China's foreign policy, and a firm and longstanding strategy," Lu added.

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       According to Xu Ningquan, executive chairman of China's Sentuo Group, the two-phased construction is expected to be completed by 2025 and will play an important role in Ghana's energy supply.

       "I believe that through our collective efforts, the oil refinery project will achieve greater success, sharing more of its outcomes with the people in Ghana," Xu added.