In a recent engagement with the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) in Accra, the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. John Mahama, shed light on the underlying causes of the pervasive power outages in Ghana, known colloquially as “dumsor.” His analysis points to the government’s mishandling of the nation’s power generation assets and the mismanagement of the Energy Sector Levy Act (ESLA) as the principal factors exacerbating the country’s electricity supply challenges.
The ESLA, established to consolidate various levies within the energy sector, aims at funding power generation, supporting road maintenance, and facilitating the clearance of legacy debts. It also seeks to ensure the prudent and efficient use of proceeds from the levies and to foster sustainable long-term investments in the energy sector. However, according to Mr. Mahama, the current administration’s mismanagement of ESLA resources has significantly contributed to the resurgence of dumsor, impacting businesses and households across the nation.
During his address on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, Mr. Mahama critiqued the government’s approach to handling the situation, suggesting that an admission of missteps and a concerted effort to rectify the issues would be more appropriate. “The country has been plunged into darkness. Mismanagement of generating assets and collateralisation of ESLA, which was meant to provide the resources to finance current and legacy debt, has led us back to dumsor,” he observed. The former President emphasized the unpredictable power situation’s toll on businesses and households, which hampers their ability to plan effectively.
Moreover, Mr. Mahama called out the Energy Minister, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, for his response to the public’s demand for a load-shedding timetable amid the ongoing power outages. The Energy Minister’s retort to those requesting a schedule from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) was to challenge them to produce one themselves, a comment Mr. Mahama deemed disrespectful. This exchange highlights the tension between the government’s stance and the populace’s expectations for transparency and reliability in power supply management.
Mr. Mahama’s criticisms extend beyond the immediate power supply issues, touching on broader concerns regarding respect for Ghanaian citizens and the imperative for stable macroeconomic conditions conducive to business growth and fiscal consolidation. He argued that the government’s apparent disregard for public concerns, as evidenced by the Energy Minister’s remarks, undermines the trust between the government and its citizens. Furthermore, he underscored the importance of providing a load-shedding timetable to allow Ghanaians to plan their energy consumption amidst the ongoing challenges, thus enabling a semblance of normalcy and predictability in their daily lives and economic activities.
The call for action from Mr. Mahama resonates with a broader concern for governance, transparency, and the efficient management of the country’s resources. His stance reflects a belief in the necessity of acknowledging and addressing administrative shortcomings to navigate the country out of the recurrent power supply crises. The dialogue surrounding the dumsor phenomenon, thus, transcends the immediate issues of energy supply, touching on governance, economic stability, and the social contract between the state and its citizens.
As Ghana grapples with these power outages, the discourse initiated by Mr. Mahama invites a reflection on the strategies employed in managing the country’s energy sector. It calls for a reevaluation of policies and practices to ensure that they align with the long-term interests of the Ghanaian population. The conversation also emphasizes the need for respectful and constructive engagement between government officials and the public, advocating for an approach that prioritizes the well-being and economic stability of the nation above all.
In conclusion, the resurgence of dumsor in Ghana underlines critical issues within the country’s energy sector and governance. Mr. John Mahama’s insights into the situation highlight the complexities surrounding the management of energy resources and the critical role of governmental accountability in addressing these challenges. As Ghana moves forward, the lessons learned from these discussions may well inform the strategies to ensure a reliable power supply, fostering an environment where businesses and households can thrive without the shadow of uncertainty cast by dumsor.
Source: Graphic Online
