In the wake of persistent electricity outages across Ghana, former President and 2024 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has called on the current government to openly recognize the ongoing power crisis, popularly referred to as ‘dumsor’, and to issue a detailed load-shedding timetable for the public. This plea for transparency comes amid sporadic electricity disruptions that have plagued various parts of the country, affecting daily lives and economic activities.
Addressing a crowd in Sissala West during his “Building the Ghana We Want” tour in the Upper West region, Mr. Mahama emphasized the critical need for the government, through the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), to shed light on the situation. Despite official statements attributing the power cuts to maintenance and faults, the former president argued that the reality of ‘dumsor’ is evident to the populace, necessitating a clear and structured load-shedding schedule to allow Ghanaians to plan accordingly.
Reflecting on his tenure as president, Mahama reminisced about his approach to governance, particularly in times of challenges. He prided himself on his candidness with the Ghanaian people, openly sharing the nation’s difficulties and the steps being undertaken to address them. He contrasted his administration’s openness with what he perceives as the current government’s opacity concerning the power sector’s woes.
Mahama detailed the various issues plaguing the power sector, including generation shortfalls, financial difficulties in procuring gas and fuel, and the consequential need to shed between 280 and 480 megawatts of power daily. He criticized the government’s reluctance to officially term the situation as ‘dumsor’ and its failure to provide a load-shedding timetable, which has left citizens grappling with unpredictable power outages.
“And so, we will just put off the light anytime and reduce the number of megawatts so the system won’t go down. But we don’t call it dumsor, and so there is no dumsor, but we know that it is dumsor,” Mahama lamented, highlighting the disconnect between the government’s narratives and the public’s experiences.
The former president’s call to action underscores a broader issue of accountability and communication between the government and its citizens, particularly in addressing infrastructural challenges that directly impact daily life and economic stability. Mahama’s remarks also touch upon the importance of trust in leadership, derived from honesty and transparency, especially in times of crisis.
As Ghana navigates its electricity supply challenges, the dialogue around ‘dumsor’, load-shedding schedules, and government transparency remains a pivotal aspect of the discourse between the political class and the public. The situation beckons a collaborative approach, where open communication and concrete action plans are paramount in building the resilient and prosperous Ghana that all citizens yearn for.
Source: MyJoyOnline
