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Ghana Halts Electricity Exports to Tackle Domestic Power Outages

President Akufo-Addo Prioritizes National Grid Amidst Energy Crisis

by Ikeoluwa Juliana Ogungbangbe

In a decisive move to combat the persistent power outages afflicting Ghana, President Akufo-Addo has directed a halt to the export of electricity to neighboring countries, spotlighting the government’s strategy to prioritize the nation’s energy needs. This critical development was disclosed by Samuel Atta Akyea, the Chairman of the Energy Committee of Parliament, during an appearance on JoyNews’ PM Express. Atta Akyea’s revelation underscores the administration’s intent to address the domestic power supply instability, even at the expense of foregoing potential revenue from electricity exports.

Ghana, a country known for its relatively stable power supply in the West African region, has been experiencing intermittent power outages, colloquially termed ‘dumsor’, which have severely impacted various sectors, including businesses and households. This situation has prompted urgent governmental actions to ensure energy security and reliability for its citizens. Atta Akyea, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Akim Abuakwa South, elaborated on the president’s directive, emphasizing the critical need to divert electricity originally earmarked for export back to the national grid. This approach is envisioned as a key measure to alleviate the ongoing power crisis and ensure a stable electricity supply for the nation’s development and well-being.

“The President has a sense of the national need rather than making profits abroad,” Atta Akyea remarked, highlighting President Akufo-Addo’s commitment to resolving the power supply issues. This decision reflects a broader governmental policy to prioritize internal demands over external obligations, especially in times of national distress. Ghana’s role as a power exporter to neighboring countries like Togo, Benin, and Burkina Faso has historically contributed to regional energy stability. However, the current directive to curtail electricity exports signifies a pivot towards focusing on domestic energy sufficiency as the country grapples with the challenges of erratic electricity supply.

According to Atta Akyea, the implementation of this directive is expected to be swift, with tangible measures being taken to reroute the power supply intended for export directly into Ghana’s national grid. This reallocation of resources is seen as a crucial step in mitigating the impact of the power crisis on the nation’s economy and the daily lives of its populace. “We cannot afford to say ‘Okay, let’s make good money abroad and let the national economy suffer,'” Atta Akyea stated, underscoring the imperative to ensure that the domestic economy and the needs of the Ghanaian people take precedence over international profit-making endeavors.

This strategic shift in energy policy not only aims to provide immediate relief to the ongoing power interruptions but also sets a precedent for future energy management and policy formulation in Ghana.

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