During a heavy downpour in Amasaman, Greater Accra Region, a high voltage distribution pole fell on a newly acquired Mercedes-Benz while it was in motion.
Fortunately, there were no casualties as the area was experiencing “dumsor” (intermittent power outages) at the time, saving the occupants from harm.
The incident occurred as a result of the intense rains and strong winds that hit the area, causing several trees to split and leading to damage to cars parked nearby.
This adds to a series of weather-related incidents in the region, including one where a tree fell on a motorcycle and a 4-wheel drive, leaving one person in critical condition.
High voltage distribution pole falls on a newly acquired Mercedes-Benz while in motion following early morning rains and strong winds at Amasaman in the Greater Accra Region.
Fortunately, the lights were off in the area at the time of the incident so they were no casualties… pic.twitter.com/0PNcetERmW
The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) issued weather warnings for the southern part of the country, predicting that the rainstorm originating from southern Togo will move westward, affecting areas in southern Ghana.
The weather brought thunderstorms or rain of varying intensities, along with increased cloud cover. Moderate to strong winds may also accompany the rainstorm in some areas.
The devastating effect of today’s rainfall in the Accra Airport area, which caused numerous trees to split, resulting in damage to cars parked nearby. pic.twitter.com/AEsXKH4EHs
Chairman of the Government Assurances Committee, Farouk Aliu Mahama, has urged the government to take decisive action to tackle the recent electricity supply challenges across the nation.
In a Facebook post on Monday, May 6, the Member of Parliament for Yendi made the plea when he praised the Energy Minister for his appearance before the committee on Friday, May 3, where they discussed the electricity situation.
Energy Minister Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh dismissed claims that Ghana is in a “dumsor” era. He noted that the current power outages are due to maintenance issues, describing them as ” dum seisie”.
He applauded the government’s efforts to address the recent power crisis, acknowledging the strategies implemented to mitigate the challenges.
Mr. Mahama highlighted the commendable current electricity coverage of 88.75% but emphasized the need for more efforts to ensure a reliable and consistent power supply nationwide.
“In accordance with Standing Order 225, the Hon. Minister for Energy, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, appeared before the Committee on Assurance to update the Ghanaian people on the energy situation in the country and to report on the progress of commitments made to Parliament.”
“As the Chair of the Committee, I commended the Minister and the government for their remarkable performance in the energy sector. I noted that achieving 88.75% electricity coverage is a significant accomplishment of which we should be proud. However, I also emphasized the need for a more concerted effort to address the recent technical challenges affecting electricity supply in some parts of the country.”
Ghana’s Energy Minister, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, commonly known as NAPO,insists that Ghana is experiencing “dumsiesie” and not “dumsor” amidst the recent power outages plaguing the country.
According to him, under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, the country’s intermittent power supply is a result of efforts to resolve the power crisis compared to the situation under the previous administration.
During his appearance before the Government Assurances Committee Sitting on Friday, May 3, 2024, the minister responded to a question from the current member of parliament for the Ablekuma South Constituency regarding why the country is still experiencing power outages despite his claim that electrification in the country is 88.75% complete.
“I’m not sure I am here again to talk about dumsor as you will like to drag me into.
We are in the era of dumsie sie which is profoundly different from dumsor.Dumsor as it inflicted on Ghanaians has only happened as characterised His Excellency John Dramani Mahama.
He is the only President that four years he reigned, ruled governed it has been dum dum dum. So if the non partisan colleague says that now it is worse then I don’t know where his realities lie” he noted.
In recent months, Ghanaians have grappled with the recurring issue of erratic power supply disruptions, colloquially referred to as ‘dumsor’.
Despite occasional assertions by the government minimizing the severity of the situation, power cuts have become frequent, significantly impacting livelihoods and businesses across the nation.
Consequently, there have been mounting demands for the government to either meet its financial commitments or address the underlying technical issues once and for all.
GhanaWeb TV undertook visits to various communities in the capital city of Accra to gather insights from citizens on the repercussions of these outages and whether a government-provided timetable could aid in better planning.
Some individuals interviewed by GhanaWeb conveyed that the ongoing power crisis, particularly in the midst of an election year, could potentially influence their voting decisions in the upcoming polls.
The Executive Director of the Institute of Energy Security (IES), Nana Amoasi VII, has challenged President Akufo-Addo’s claim that Ghana’s power supply issues, known as “dumsor,” have been effectively resolved.
During the annual May Day celebration in Accra, the President confidently declared that the era of power challenges was over.
“Over the period, the issues surrounding transformers and gas supply have been successfully resolved resulting in sufficient improvement in power supply reliability,” the president said.
However, in an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News, Nana Amoasi VII disagreed with the President, stating that his assertions did not align with the current situation.
He highlighted that several areas, including Weija, Ekumfi, Mankessim, Nungua, and Tema Community 2 and 25, experienced power outages between Tuesday and Wednesday, indicating ongoing deficits in the power system.
Nana Amoasi VII stressed the importance of the President’s statements reflecting the actual circumstances, rather than relying solely on advice from his advisors. He expressed concern that the President’s advisors might not be providing him with an accurate assessment of the ongoing power challenges.
He urged the President to be cautious in his pronouncements, as they could potentially mislead the public about the true state of the country’s power supply.
“The first thing that we picked from the president’s statement is that today he is admitting that under his tenure, there has been dumsor. And so he made it clear in his statement that the load shedding that we are seeing is probably normal…To say that the issues have been dealt with is misleading and we pray that the handlers of the president will rather lead him than mislead him. Sometimes the president looks awful in the eyes of industry players, the watchers and even consumers.”
“I am sure any pronouncement that he made is contingent on what they tell him but he must be very careful because the handlers are not putting out what the issues are. The value is the same. We’ve just seen a bit of change last night but if the president says that yesterday we didn’t experience dumsor anywhere around the country, that is untrue. I can recount some few places we have checked,” he stated.
Netizens on social media who continue to experience intermittent power outage have also criticized President Akufo-Addo for his recent remarks.
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has provided clarification regarding the power outages witnessed in certain parts of the capital on May Day.
In a statement dated May 2, 2024, the ECG attributed the situation to rainstorms that struck the capital on May 1.
According to the statement, these rainstorms impacted seven of ECG’s substations, leading to power difficulties in various areas of Accra.
The affected substations were identified as Station H – Dzorwulu, Burma Camp L, Station D – Avenor, High Street AH, La Trade AJ, Lakeside Estate, and Gbawe.
“ECG and the Ghana Fire Service are collaborating to drain all flooded primary substations to facilitate a prompt restoration of power supply.
“We want to assure our valued customers and all stakeholders of our dedication to ensuring a reliable power supply and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by the outage,” the statement signed by Director of Communications, William Boateng, stated.
This statement follows shortly after President Akufo-Addo declared in his May Day speech that the power supply challenges experienced in recent months had been resolved.
President Akufo-Addo has reassured Ghanaians that the recent episodes of erratic power supply, commonly referred to as ‘dumsor’, will soon be a thing of the past.
The president elaborated that the recent power outages have been addressed following the completion of maintenance work on transformers by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
“Issues surrounding the maintenance of the transformers have been resolved. Indeed, we have witnessed stable power supply across the country with no load shedding reported anywhere yesterday…I am confident that the unfortunate era of dumsor will not return,” President Akufo-Addo said while delivering his speech at the Workers’ Day observation.
His comments on dumsor come amidst public appeals for the government to either rectify the power irregularities or provide an electricity supply schedule.
One notable advocate is Dr. Yaw Baah, the Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), who urged the president to promptly tackle the intermittent power situation.
Dr. Baah expressed his concerns, stating that it is unfortunate and unjust for Ghanaians to endure dumsor under the previous administration and again under the current one.
“It is regrettable that people are facing dumsor once more; please take action on dumsor now,” Dr. Baah emphasized in his May Day message to the government.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo assured attendees of the annual May Day celebration in Accra that the recent issues with erratic power supply, commonly known as “dumsor,” have been successfully resolved.
He expressed confidence that the challenges are now behind the country, thanking citizens for their patience and cooperation during the difficult period.
“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Ghanaians for their patience and understanding during recent temporary challenges with electricity supply across the country.
“Over the period, the issues surrounding transformers and gas supply have been successfully resolved resulting in sufficient improvement in power supply reliability,” the president said.
“Indeed, over the past few days, we have witnessed stable electricity supply across the country with no load-shedding reported anywhere yesterday.”
“For the past seven years we have worked tirelessly to keep the lights on and I am confident that the unfortunate era of dumsorwill not return,” he added.
The management of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has refuted claims that critical surgeries were cancelled on Monday, April 29, due to the ongoing power outages affecting the facility.
Reports circulated in the media on Monday suggested that patients in need of critical medical procedures were sent back to their wards due to the power outages, commonly referred to as ‘dumsor.’
However, the hospital’s management released a statement stating that such reports were misleading.
They clarified that Monday’s incident was actually caused by a low current situation at the facility, which lasted approximately 45 minutes.
The statement clarified that “two cases at the Department of Surgery were returned to the ward at the end of the day on account of limited space in the recovery ward and not because of power outage. The rest of the other theatres spread across the hospital all carried out their surgeries as scheduled.”
The hospital also urged the public to be cautious in sharing unverified stories, as they can undermine public confidence and cause unnecessary fear and discomfort among patients.
“We wish to appeal to the media to exercise great circumspection in publishing stories that are not fully verified because they undermine public confidence and create unnecessary fear and discomfort among our patients,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, Health Minister-designate Bernard Okoe-Boye has advised health facilities to utilize alternative power sources, particularly generator sets, in response to the recent erratic power supply.
He emphasized that hospitals are integral parts of the country and are thus affected by any challenges the nation faces.
“Because someone did a video of one minute, and 40 seconds and said lights have gone out, everybody goes emotional. The truth is that, if the country experiences some issues with power availability, hospitals are not outside the country, they will also experience some.”
“Another truth is that most of our hospitals have standby power plants, but just like management of a house, you can go to a house, they have a generator but maybe the generator has an issue.”
Speaking at a press briefing during his visit to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, he added “The one to put in petrol has an issue. Let’s stick to the essentials. Let’s ask a hospital, how is your generator? Is it working? If it’s not working, have you approached the ministry? If it’s working, who was in charge? Why didn’t you make it work? I don’t want to go into the details. We should not get sensational. Let’s stick to the essentials.
“If we want to discuss power supply in hospitals and standby generators, let’s discuss it. That is the way to make progress. You can do an audit, in Accra, there are 40 government hospitals, out of the 40, about thirty have power plants. Ten don’t have. Doctor, what are you doing about it? That is the way to make progress,” the minister-designate said.
Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson is rallying citizens for a “DumsorMustStop” vigil, seeking to unite Ghanaians in addressing the nation’s persistent power outages. In a passionate plea on social media, Nelson calls for collective action and accountability from leaders to resolve the power crisis known as Dumsor.
Reflecting on her advocacy during the 2015 campaign, Nelson emphasizes the non-partisan nature of this issue and invites Ghanaians from diverse backgrounds to join the cause. Despite the challenges faced in the past and the current political landscape, she believes in the power of unity to bring about change.
Nelson extends a special invitation to legal professionals, volunteers, and concerned citizens to support the vigil, emphasizing that the fight against Dumsor is a shared responsibility. She encourages those interested to contact her directly to contribute to this important cause.
For the full details of Yvonne Nelson’s call to action, read her heartfelt letter and join the movement for a brighter future in Ghana.
Multiple crucial surgeries slated for Monday, April 29, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital had to be canceled due to intermittent power disruptions.
Patients scheduled for tumor surgeries were brought to the surgical theater but were eventually returned to the wards as doctors deemed the power situation unreliable.
An anonymous doctor expressed concern, stating,“These are critical cases, and we can’t afford to risk people’s lives,”
Furthermore, dysfunctional elevators left numerous patients stranded on different floors for extended periods, exacerbating the situation.
Sources revealed that even the hospital’s generator was non-operational, adding to the distress of medical staff.
“This is the second time my surgery was cancelled. The first was because the oxygen machine wasn’t working. Today, it’s due to power fluctuations. I’m really scared, but what can I do? I leave everything to God.”
Sources close to the Electricity Corporation of Ghana (ECG), according to Asaasenews, have confirmed that the seven weeks of load-shedding that have affected the entire country are gradually coming to an end.
Sunday, April 28, 2024, the report said, marked a significant improvement in power generation, making it the best weekend since the load-shedding began.
As a result of these improvements, no part of the nation experienced load management on Sunday, the report added.
However, this claim has been contested by some citizens living at Frafraha, John Tei, who say they experienced power outages on the said day.
Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has reassured that the ongoing power supply issues, known as ‘dumsor‘, will soon be resolved.
He made this statement during his campaign tour of the Eastern Region while speaking to the Clergy and Imams in Akropong on Monday, April 29.
Dr. Bawumia expressed confidence in the government’s efforts to address the issue, which has led to criticism of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) by businesses, groups, and individuals.
“I know there are challenges and I don’t want to paper over economic challenges. We are going to work on them. Currently, we have issues with power but I say that from the information I have received from the minister for energy, those power challenges will very soon, and I mean very soon be a thing of the past,” the vice president said.
The Ghana Union of Traders Association has joined the voices calling on ECG for a load-shedding timetable to guide their operations.
Despite this, ECG has maintained that the current challenge does not necessitate a load-shedding timetable.
Former Attorney-General Betty Mould-Iddrisu has added her voice to the ongoing discourse on Ghana’s power crisis.
Mrs. Mould-Iddrisu particularly highlighted the challenges faced in the Ashanti Region, especially after the renaming of the Ameri plant, describing the level of power outages as unprecedented.
“After the renaming of the Ameri plant, the dumsor that we have experienced in the region [Ashanti Region] is unparalleled, even during our time, there wasn’t dumsor like that, and people are now fed up.”
She asserted that the Mahama administration handled the situation more effectively than the current New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
Her remarks come in response to former GIMPA Rector Professor Stephen Adei’s comments, who suggested that the current power crisis is less severe than it was under the Mahama administration.
Speaking to TV3, Mrs. Mould-Iddrisu expressed concern over the current erratic power supply under the NDC, noting that it is not as severe as the situation under the current Akufo-Addo administration.
Former Attorney-General Betty Mould-Iddrisu has commented on Ghana’s ongoing power crisis, contrasting the management of the situation between the Mahama and current New Patriotic Party (NPP) administrations.
Mould-Iddrisu’s remarks were prompted by former GIMPA Rector Professor Stephen Adei’s recent statement, suggesting that the current power crisis is not as severe as it was during the Mahama administration.
In an interview with TV3, Mould-Iddrisu expressed concern over the current erratic power supply under the NPP, noting that it was not as dire as the situation during the Mahama era.
She particularly highlighted challenges faced in the Ashanti Region, emphasizing the need for effective solutions to the power crisis.
“After the renaming of the Ameri plant, the dumsor that we have experienced in the region [Ashanti Region] is unparalleled, even during our time, there wasn’t dumsor like that, and people are now fed up.”
The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has reassured that the ongoing power supply issues, known as ‘dumsor‘, will soon be resolved.
He made this statement during his campaign tour of the Eastern Region while speaking to the Clergy and Imams in Akropong on Monday, April 29.
Dr. Bawumia expressed confidence in the government’s efforts to address the issue, which has led to criticism of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) by businesses, groups, and individuals.
“I know there are challenges and I don’t want to paper over economic challenges. We are going to work on them. Currently, we have issues with power but I say that from the information I have received from the minister for energy, those power challenges will very soon, and I mean very soon be a thing of the past,” the vice president said.
The Ghana Union of Traders Association has joined the voices calling on ECG for a load-shedding timetable to guide their operations.
Despite this, ECG has maintained that the current challenge does not necessitate a load-shedding timetable.
Intermittent power outages in parts of Accra have resulted in substantial financial setbacks for pubs, clubs, and eateries in the city.
Business owners attribute the inability to refrigerate perishable goods and entertain patrons as the main causes of these losses.
Osu, recognized as Accra’s nightlife hotspot, typically teems with activity after dark, boasting a diverse array of pubs, clubs, and dining establishments.
However, the unpredictable electricity supply has inflicted severe blows on these enterprises. One such venue, Philipos Tilapia Joint, is grappling with significant financial losses due to the recent power interruptions.
Mary Avenue, the chef at Philipos Tilapia Joint, echoes similar concerns in an interview with Citi News. She notes that they’ve had to scale back their fish purchases due to the uncertainty surrounding power availability, adversely impacting their business operations.
Furthermore, the inability to play music and maintain optimal drink temperatures has resulted in customer dissatisfaction and a downturn in business.
“It’s really affecting us because, for some time now, we used to buy our fish in bulk, but because of the light off, we now buy it half because we don’t know what might happen. Secondly, we can’t play music and the drinks become very hot. When the customers come around and you talk to them, they say it’s too hot, meaning the customer has to leave. It makes the work too hard for us, so that’s the challenge we are facing here.”
John Asare, supervisor at Shades Lounge, expressed concern about escalating unemployment rates in the country, fearing exacerbation if power outages persist.
He emphasized that prolonged power disruptions could deter customers, hampering revenue generation for businesses and potentially resulting in layoffs.
“This could lead to unemployment because definitely when we are not getting customers due to the power outage and then the business is not running, we won’t get money to pay our workers so definitely we will only ask them to leave.”
In response to this challenge, pub and eatery proprietors in Accra are advocating for a load-shedding schedule, aiming to gain operational predictability and alleviate the adverse effects of power interruptions.
A video circulating on social media shows Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia addressing the ongoing intermittent power outages (known as “dumsor“) faced by Ghanaians.
As he was leaving Parliament, a concerned citizen shouted “dumsor no,” catching the Vice President’s attention. In response, Dr. Bawumia said, “yoo, ye be ye,” which translates to “okay, we will fix it.”
Ghanaians have been experiencing these power cuts for over a month, prompting calls for the Ministry of Energy to release an official timetable to keep consumers informed about power availability.
But there has been so sign of a possible timetable anytime soon due to the posture of the Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Premeph, who has dismissed such calls.
Herbert Krapa, Chairman of the governing board of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Deputy Energy Minister, has assured the public that the government is taking steps to resolve the issue.
He stated that the government is aware of the challenges faced by citizens and is committed to ensuring uninterrupted power supply.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia promises that the recent power outages will be resolved.
A political and social analyst who also lectures at the University of Cape Coast, Jonathan Asante Otchere, has forecasted that the current intermittent power outages will have a detrimental impact on the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming December 7, 2024 general elections.
Speaking on Connect FM’s Kokromotsir Political Program with host Wofa Ato Koomson on Thursday, April 25, Dr. Otchere stressed the significance of energy-related issues in influencing voters’ choices.
He pointed out that in 2016, during the tenure of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the NPP capitalized on ‘dumsor’ as a major campaign issue, leading to the defeat of the former.
Dr. Otchere noted that history appears to be repeating itself, using the Akan proverb “Abaa yedi bo Takyi no, ye di bo Baah,” which translates to “The cane used on Takyi is also used on Baah,” to illustrate the situation.
He emphasized that the ongoing energy crisis will be a crucial factor for voters in the upcoming elections and will significantly impact the NPP’s electoral prospects.
Dr. Otchere recounted incidents at the UCC campus where students had to endure uncomfortable heat during exams due to power outages, highlighting the stress it caused.
Additionally, he shared his personal experience of having to sleep in his car due to power outages, stating, “Last week I slept in my car for hours before going home in the night because of ‘dumsor,’ because the kind of heat we are enduring today is unbearable.”
Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere emphasized that voters prioritize factors such as the economy, infrastructure development, high inflation rates, and corruption when casting their votes, and these factors will be evident in the December elections.
The Ashanti Democrats group has announced plans to hold a vigil in Accra to demand an end to the current power outages.
Following a successful vigil in Kumasi on April 18, the group believes it is necessary to bring the demonstration closer to Ghana’s administrative capital.
The Dumsor Vigil, organized by the Ashanti Democrats and led by Jerry James Sukkah, is a demonstration against the erratic power supply across the country. The date for the Accra edition is yet to be announced.
Henry Osei Akoto, one of the leaders of the event, emphasized the importance of holding the vigil in Accra to increase pressure on the government and draw attention to the severe impact of the power outages on businesses and livelihoods.
“We will mobilize Ghanaians on the streets soon if you don’t resolve ‘dumsor.’ The inconvenience is just too much. You promised Ghanaians you were going to give us an uninterrupted power supply, [but] see where you have brought us.
In Somanya Polyclinic, Eastern Region, vital departments face closure during power outages.
The Head of Administration at Somanya Polyclinic, Kafui Wuttor, highlighted the clinic’s generator’s limited capacity, causing disruptions in crucial services like the laboratory.
Mr Wuttor emphasized the pressing need for an additional generator plant to improve hospital operations, citing the negative impact of frequent power interruptions on healthcare quality and operational costs.
“As we speak now, our lights are off but our generator plant has low capacity to power the facility. Some of the units are even off. We are unable to run labs as we speak so if we get a new gens set in addition to what we have, it will boost our services. The power outage is affecting us. Apart from the fact that it is not able to power the facility, we are also spending a lot of money so it is quite inconvenient,” said Kafui Wuttor Darkwa
These concerns were raised during a donation event, where the Somanya branch of Christ Apostolic Church International generously donated items to Somanya Polyclinic and Yilo Krobo District Hospital.
Mrs. Patricia Ametepey, representing the church, emphasized the importance of churches supporting government initiatives for national development.
President Akufo-Addo has affirmed his government’s commitment to enhancing electricity supply by continuing investments in the power sector.
During the inauguration of a 15-megawatt solar power plant in Kaleo, Upper West Region, Akufo-Addo announced plans to introduce green energy policies to reduce reliance on thermal power.
“The government is implementing a series of policies and measures to incentivise green investments, foster a culture of energy efficiency, and prioritise the development of solar, wind and hydroelectric power projects as key strategies for the growth of the energy sector in the country.”
In the meantime, Chairman of the Electricity Corporation of Ghana’s governing board, Herbert Krapa, assured the public that the ongoing power challenges will soon be resolved.
He assured that the government has implemented adequate measures to ensure a consistent power supply for consumers.
Mr Krapa underscored the government’s acknowledgment of the hardships faced by Ghanaians and its dedication to resolving them for the public’s welfare.
“As I said earlier today at Kaleo, at the Commissioning of VRA’s 15MW Solar Plant, the Government has put in place immediate measures to ensure the return of uninterrupted supply of power to consumers. I can, therefore, state that the unfortunate power challenges Ghanaians are facing should be over in the next few days.”
“We are fully confident that the measures being put in place should resolve the service interruptions. We empathise with all consumers and apologise unreservedly for the effects of the outages on our daily lives. Please bear with us. We are fixing it and we are nearly there,” Herbert Krapa’s post further read.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Consumer Protection Agency, Kofi Kapito, has come to the defense of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) regarding its failure to release a load-shedding timetable during the ongoing power outages in the country.
Mr. Kapito attributed ECG’s inability to provide a load-shedding timetable to financial constraints, stating that the current energy crisis is exacerbated by financial issues rather than solely generation capacity limitations.
In an interview with Citi FM on Tuesday, April 23, Kapito emphasized that addressing the financial challenge would eliminate the necessity for a load-shedding timetable.
He urged patience from Ghanaians and others demanding such a timetable while efforts are made to resolve the financial challenges.
The CEO of the Consumer Protection Agency reiterated that once the financial issues are addressed, the need for a load-shedding timetable would cease to exist.
He called for cooperation and patience from all stakeholders in stabilizing the energy situation in the country.
Mr Kapito highlighted the complexity of the situation, emphasizing that ECG’s ability to provide a timetable is contingent upon the availability of funds for paying Independent Power Producers (IPPs) or purchasing fuel for power plants.
“As we all know it is not like before when we used to build some transformers which we knew is going to take us some months and so we have to do some proper plan and then bring out a timetable.”
“Unfortunately, because it is financial, it is difficult for ECG to say that they will bring a timetable simply because people are calling for it. If they bring the timetable and money becomes available, thus, they are able to pay the IPPs or they have to buy the necessary fuel for power plants, then what happens to the timetable? That I think is the challenge the ECG is facing.”
“ECG is in the business to sell you power. When ECG gets the electricity, they have no need apart from selling it to the consumer or anybody who needs it. So, when people sometimes behave as if ECG has the power and they are doing something or intentionally not distributing it, I find it a little difficult,” he said.
He stressed that ECG’s primary function is to sell power, and any perception that the company is intentionally withholding electricity is misguided.
Meanwhile, Senior Presidential Advisor Yaw Osafo-Maafo clarified that only the Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku-Prempeh, has the authority to authorize the publication of a load-shedding timetable.
Osafo-Maafo explained that this decision depends on the volume of power being generated and what ECG can distribute.
Chairman of the governing board of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Herbert Krapa, has has given the assurance that the ongoing intermittent power outages currently experienced in major parts of the country by citizens will soon be a thing of the past.
Mr Krapa, who doubles as the Deputy Energy Minister stated that the government has implemented adequate measures to ensure that consumers enjoy uninterrupted power supply.
He emphasized that the government is aware of the challenges faced by Ghanaians and is committed to resolving them for the benefit of the people.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, April 24, Mr. Krapa expressed gratitude to the Ghanaian people for their patience and resilience during this crisis.
“As I said earlier today at Kaleo, at the Commissioning of VRA’s 15MW Solar Plant, the Government has put in place immediate measures to ensure the return of uninterrupted supply of power to consumers. I can, therefore, state that the unfortunate power challenges Ghanaians are facing should be over in the next few days.”
“We are fully confident that the measures being put in place should resolve the service interruptions. We empathise with all consumers and apologise unreservedly for the effects of the outages on our daily lives. Please bear with us. We are fixing it and we are nearly there,” Herbert Krapa’s post further read.
For over a month, power consumers across the country have been grappling with intermittent power cuts, commonly known in Ghana as “Dumsor.”
Amidst these challenges, there have been calls from a section of the Ghanaian public for the Ministry of Energy to publish an official timetable to keep consumers informed about power availability.
In response to these concerns, the ECG board chair recently joined President Akufo-Addo in a significant ceremony held in Kaleo. The event marked the official inauguration of phase two of the Kaleo Solar Power Plant, representing another notable step in Ghana’s renewable energy journey.
With a capacity of fifteen megawatts peak (15MWp), this addition highlights Ghana’s commitment to harnessing clean energy sources and building a sustainable future for generations to come.
Cold store operators in Tema are urgently requesting a load-shedding timetable as they grapple with the recent erratic power supply, commonly referred to as ‘dumsor’ in Ghana.
The unpredictable power outages are causing significant financial strain on these businesses, compelling them to rely on expensive alternative power sources.
The situation has also led to increased costs, which may result in higher prices for goods and services, including fish.
Victor Seddoh, the manager of Mankoadzee Fisheries, expressed his concerns in an interview with Citi News, questioning the authorities’ inability to identify the root cause of these outages.
He highlighted the increased cost of fuel for generators during these power outages, which negatively impacts their overall expenses.
“Have they identified the problems, the authorities? Because we hear conflicting information from various regulatory bodies. Why won’t the government get one solid reason for these outages and then resolve it.”
“Until the power outage, we were relying on ECG. So we hardly bought fuel at all for the generator. Within this period of power outage, we will need to buy at least 600 litres of fuel to run for eight to nine hours. And that is very expensive. You cannot put a monetary figure on it because the price keeps changing.”
“It is cost and we must reduce cost. So in retrieving cost what do you do, you apply to your customers and that is the issue. And the eventual results will be an increase in prices of goods and services, the fish price will go up. ”
She emphasized the need for a load-shedding timetable to help cold store operators plan their operations more effectively.
“Recently our fish, almost 80 to 100 cartons got spoilt because over the weekend, we were not around and there was light off. And we did not have an uninterrupted power supply so we couldn’t come back and from where we stayed too, we couldn’t come back to turn on the generator. So when we came on Monday, most of our fish had gone bad.”
The cold store operators believe that a load-shedding timetable would provide them with better control over their businesses and help mitigate the negative effects of the power outages
A prominent private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, has criticized the Akufo-Addo government for its failure to devise a schedule for the ongoing erratic power supply (dumsor), which would assist Ghanaian households and businesses in better planning their lives.
In an interview on TV3’s The Keypoints program on April 23, 2024, Mr Kpebu stated that the sole reason the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government is hesitant to create a dumsor timetable is due to the potential political consequences of such action.
Kpebu emphasized that the government is aware that releasing a dumsor timetable would undoubtedly impact the fate of the NPP in the forthcoming December 7, 2024, general elections.
“It (the refusal to devise a dumsor timetable) is nothing new. It just reiterates the statement by Socrates that ‘Politicians are crooks’, that’s it; rooks and are busy gaslighting us.
“Because commonsensically, this dumsor timetable should have been out. But you see how they keep making it look like rocket science, shifting blame? ECG keeps saying that they don’t get enough notice from GRIDCo, so it’s impossible to get a timetable.
“Then you find Matthew Opoku Prempeh (the Minister for Energy), come to insult us after we’ve paid him with taxes and even has not had the courtesy to render an unqualified apology to us. And it goes on and on and on,” he said.
The lawyer added, “So what they’re saying is that if this timetable comes out, then it means that they are sinking themselves, you know, because election 2024 is just in the corner.”
During the height of Ghana’s severe power supply crisis under former President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, Akufo-Addo was actively campaigning for his first presidency.
In the midst of the prevalent dumsor crisis, Akufo-Addo consistently criticized the government’s handling of the situation, using various platforms to draw attention to the issue.
In a notable tweet dated November 16, 2016, at 9:00 AM, Akufo-Addo urged Ghanaians to vote for change, using the hashtag #VoteForChange, expressing dissatisfaction with dumsor, incompetence, mismanagement, corruption, and other perceived shortcomings of the Mahama administration.
Interestingly, this tweet has resurfaced at a time when Ghana is experiencing recurrent unannounced power outages, leading many to draw parallels to the dumsor era.
“#VoteForChange if you’re tired of dumsor, incompetence, mismanagement, corruption, celebrated mediocrity, inflated infrastructure contracts,” his tweet of November 16, 2016, at 9:00 AM, said.
#VoteForChange if you're tired of dumsor, incompetence, mismanagement, corruption, celebrated mediocrity, inflated infrastructure contracts.
Despite government denials, particularly through the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), suggesting that the outages may be due to localized faults, calls for a timetable for power outages have been disregarded.
Instead, citizens have been advised to devise their own schedules for managing the outages. Meanwhile, the Ashanti Democrats have announced plans to bring the Dumsor Vigil from Kumasi to Accra.
Responding to demands for a load-shedding schedule from ECG, former Chairman of Parliament’s Committee on Roads and Transport, stated that the intermittent power outages will cease by May this year.
He emphasized that the government is diligently addressing challenges in the energy sector.
Speaking on Joy Prime Morning, Mr. Ayeh-Paye assured Ghanaians that the current outages are temporary, with plans for resolution by the end of May.
Ayeh-Paye revealed the completion of the Twin City Energy power project, set to bolster national electricity generation and distribution upon connection to the grid.
Notably, parts of Ghana have endured sporadic power cuts, commonly referred to as ‘dumsor,’ in recent months.
While ECG attributes these outages to technical issues, some Ghanaians and institutions, including the PURC, disagree.
The PURC directed ECG to provide a load management schedule by April, 2024.
ECG’s management refuted claims of intentional load-shedding, citing technical challenges as the root cause.
Subsequently, ECG board members were fined by the PURC for power cut violations.
Member of Parliament’s Mines and Energy Committee, Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, has stated that the recent erratic power supply is due to government’s failure to settle the accumulating debts owed to Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
He emphasized that the country’s power source is driven by the private sector and that resolving all outstanding debts with power generators would result in a stable power supply.
Speaking to Citi News, Dr. Rashid Pelpuo attributed the current energy sector crisis to mismanagement by the government.
He said “It [dumsor] is not because we have not privatised [ECG] that is why the challenge is coming. It is because the government has mismanaged its responsibility to the power agencies. The government is failing to pay the private sector that is providing the light because the source of power is private sector-driven.”
“The Independent Power Producers, the government is unable to pay them their debts. ECG is unable to pay them. So I don’t think that the issue now is about ECG not being privatised,” he added.
Dr Pelpuo further said, “We have managed it from independence to now. The challenge is the irresponsibility of the government and the poor management of the governance system of power supply and power generation. So we have a problem, and the heart of the problem is the governance of this country.”
In recent months, certain regions of the country have been grappling with sporadic power outages, commonly referred to as ‘dumsor’.
While the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has attributed these intermittent power disruptions to technical issues, some Ghanaians and entities, including the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), hold a different view.
In March, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) directed the Electricity Company of Ghana to provide a load management timetable by April 2, 2024.
In response, ECG’s management reiterated that the power outages are primarily due to technical challenges and stated that no formal load-shedding schedule would be implemented.
As a consequence of the power cut violations, PURC imposed a fine of GH¢5.8 million on ECG board members.
Former Chairman of Parliament’s Committee on Roads and Transport and former Member of Parliament for Ayensuano Constituency, Samuel Ayeh-Paye, has assured that the government is diligently addressing the recent power challenges, commonly known as ‘dumsor’.
Speaking on Joy Prime’s Prime Morning, the former MP indicated that the Akufo-Addo administration is committed to resolving the issues as promised, with the assurance that the situation will be resolved by the end of May 2024.
“We’ve kept the light on for the past seven years. What has been happening is just some outages that we’re working on, and we want to assure them [Ghanaians] that by the end of next month [May], we’ll not see these things again,” Mr Ayeh-Paye assured on Tuesday.
“VRA hasn’t given us the timetable yet, but what they have told us is that they’re done with what they’re supposed to do.”
He emphasised that there is no need to issue a timetable as Ghanaians are requesting because the “situation is going to be over” by the close of May.
Senior Presidential Advisor Yaw Osafo-Maafo has stated that the responsibility for releasing a load-shedding timetable lies with the Energy Minister, citing the minister’s oversight of power generation as the basis for this authority.
He clarified that the decision to publish such a schedule can indeed be implemented, highlighting the importance of effectively managing available power resources.
Osafo-Maafo made these remarks during a forum on open government partnerships and construction sector transparency in Accra, on Tuesday, April 23.
He emphasized the need for coordination between power generation and utilization to determine the areas and timings for rationing electricity.
Meanwhile, Energy Minister Dr. Opoku Prempeh has dismissed calls for a timetable, asserting that the country is not currently experiencing power outages.
This assertion contradicts the widespread reports of sporadic power cuts, commonly referred to as ‘Dumsor,’ that have affected various sectors.
In Parliament, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has assured the public that the government is actively addressing the issue.
He expressed confidence in the government’s ability to resolve the situation effectively, citing past successes in maintaining a steady power supply under challenging circumstances.
Despite these assurances, the persistence of ‘Dumsor’ continues to impact businesses and communities across Ghana, raising concerns about its long-term effects on the economy and livelihoods.
A fish farmer in Ghana has shared a distressing account of how the recent power outages, known locally as “dumsor,” have affected his business.
Kofi, from Lashibi, explained that the irregular power supply caused his over $8000 oxygen machine, essential for his fishery, to blow up.
He now faces the daunting task of finding a new source of income, as the damage to the machine has severely impacted his ability to operate.
Speaking in an interview with Joy News’ Super Morning Show on Tuesday, April 23, a distraught Kofi lamented, “Apart from the depreciation of the cedi against the dollar, I have been losing numerous jobs due to this persistent load shedding.”
“I’m not doing very well at all because the business that I run is being grounded, my $8000 machine that I use to generate oxygen for fish just blew off three days ago.
“I have to try to change water for the fish day in and day out to raise the oxygen level, what sort of wickedness is this?” he quizzed.
Kofi emphasized that the entire country is suffering, and he believes it is crucial for the Energy Ministry to take responsibility for the ongoing situation.
“We need to hold these people by these balls, they are causing people businesses…they are ruining people’s lives and we are looking up to them,” he said.
He expressed his frustration, saying, “The blame should be on those people who are supposed to act and they are not acting. I’m speaking out of anger; because I have lost an $8000 machine as a result of somebody’s incompetence.
“We have a vice president going around campaigning to be elected, but we do not have people to stand up to him and tell him to go fix the problem…’get out of here with your campaign’, what sort of country are we running,” he added.
“We have a sitting vice president and he said he is the mate…Akufo-Addo did what he did to make sure that you become the running mate so he should use the wisdom he has to fix the country,” he added.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, a prominent member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has commented on the recent intermittent power outages in the country.
According to Mr. Kwakye Ofosu, it would be misguided to blame the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) for the power cuts.
He explained that ECG only distributes the power it receives from GRIDCo, which in turn transmits power from power producers. However, these power producers can only generate electricity when the necessary conditions are met.
“One of the key conditions for thermal power generation is the availability of fuel which is in very, very limited supply because this government simply cannot find the money to purchase same. Do not be misled to blame ECG when you suffer Dumsor,” he wrote.
He added, “It is solely the doing of Akufo-Addo and his sidekick Bawumia, who have completely mismanaged the economy and left the country broke!”
Despite citizen demands for a timetable, the Energy Ministry and ECG have not provided one.
Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has acknowledged the frustrating nature of current power outage, but has assured Ghanaians that it will soon come to an end.
He explained that maintenance works in the energy sector were nearing completion, and Ghanaians would soon benefit from uninterrupted power supply.
In a post on X sighted by the media, Richard Ahiagbah said, “The recent power outages have been understandably frustrating. However, there is an end in sight. The maintenance works are almost complete, and we can soon expect access to an uninterrupted power supply around the clock, as we have become accustomed to under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration. The NDC is the last political organization to point fingers because Ghana has not forgotten the hurts of the ‘real dumsor’, suffered under H.E. Mahama.”
Meanwhile he referred to ‘dumsor’, during the NDC government as among others, “A sting in the tale. A nail in the casket. A dirge of failure. An irrefutable lived experience.”
Read his post below:
The recent power outages have been understandably frustrating. However, there is an end in sight. The maintenance works are almost complete, and we can soon expect access to an uninterrupted power supply around the clock, as we have become accustomed to under the…
Private legal practitioner Mr Martin Kpebu is of the assertion that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will lose the upcoming polls should the government succumb to the demands of citizens and provide a load-shedding timetable.
The country has in the past few months been experiencing erratic power cuts, otherwise known as ‘dumsor’.
Though the power distribution company – Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) – has attributed the intermittent power supply disruptions to technical challenges, some Ghanaians and institutions including the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) think otherwise.
While the situation keeps aggravating, several organisations and individuals have entreated the government to release a load-shedding timetable for Ghanaians to plan their lives, but to no avail.
The hesitation from the government allows Mr Kpebu to assert that the ruling party’s victory in the next election is dependent on the current energy sector crisis.
“By this time, the dumsor timetable should have been out but see how they are doing rocket science, shifting blame. ECG saying they don’t get enough notice from GRIDCo so it’s impossible to get a timetable. Then you find Matthew Opoku Prempeh come to insult us after we paid him with our taxes. He even has not gotten the courtesy to render an unqualified apology to us.
“So what they are saying is that if this time table comes out, they are sinking themselves because election 2024 is just around the corner,” he said on TV3’s The Key Points.
The NPP knows if the 'dumsor' timetable comes out, they will sink themselves with the 2024 elections coming up – Lawyer Martin Kpebu#TheKeyPointspic.twitter.com/ic4Fq74EV1
Meanwhile, Senior Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, has expressed his belief that the recent intermittent power outages will have an impact on the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
He noted that energy issues are one of the factors voters consider when deciding which candidate or party to support.
Dr. Asah-Asante recalled that intermittent power outages during former President John Dramani Mahama’s tenure played a significant role in his electoral defeat, as the then-opposition NPP capitalized on it as a campaign issue.
“The elections that took Mahama home were fought on the basis of dumsor. This party [NPP] took advantage of that and drummed into the ears of Ghanaians and it formed part of the calculations or contributions that Ghanaians made in deciding who to vote for.
“Remember the dumsor economy which Dr. Bawumia made noise about which was legitimate at the time and the same legitimacy can be brought to bear on the current dumsor which the government is pretending doesn’t exist.”
Senior Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, has expressed his belief that the recent intermittent power outages (dumsor) will have an impact on the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
He noted that energy issues are one of the factors voters consider when deciding which candidate or party to support.
Dr. Asah-Asante recalled that intermittent power outages during former President John Dramani Mahama’s tenure played a significant role in his electoral defeat, as the then-opposition NPP capitalized on it as a campaign issue.
“The elections that took Mahama home were fought on the basis of dumsor. This party [NPP] took advantage of that and drummed into the ears of Ghanaians and it formed part of the calculations or contributions that Ghanaians made in deciding who to vote for.
“Remember the dumsor economy which Dr. Bawumia made noise about which was legitimate at the time and the same legitimacy can be brought to bear on the current dumsor which the government is pretending doesn’t exist.”
Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante also criticized the government’s management of the current intermittent power outages, pointing out that citizens were suffering as a result. He emphasized the importance of the government acknowledging the challenges and demonstrating a commitment to resolving them.
“We feel it. We experience it. Let no one deceive himself or herself that the fact that you have not said it bluntly out loud means dumsor does not exist. It does and nobody can deceive anybody. Governance must be handled with truthfulness.
“Proceed with integrity, there is a problem. Just be forthright with it. Come out and say this problem exists, but as leaders, we will try and fix it.”
Former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Professor Stephen Adei, has remarked that the current power outages are not as dire as the erratic power supply (Dumsor) experienced during the Mahama administration.
However, he cautioned that if the current situation is not adequately addressed, the challenge could worsen.
“The power crisis is not as bad as the Dumsor days but if we don’t take care it will only get worse,” he told TV3’s Beatrice Adu in an interview on Monday, April 22.
He said “so the first thing is that if there are bottlenecks which are not allowing us to use the existing capacity to the fullest, they must be addressed. But in the long run, we must have a national strategic agenda. You can go solar, immediately the government should allow all solar panels and anything to do with it import duty-free because in the end the country and the government will win. We must have a strategy to make sure that we have a long-term solution nd the efficiency of the ECG must also improve.”
Speaking in an interview with TV3’s Beatrice Adu on Monday, April 22, Prof Adei suggested strategies for the government to tackle the current challenges.
Dumsor Politics and Election 2024: The power crisis is not as bad as the Dumsor days. Prof. Stephen Adei, Educationist/Economist#GhanaTonightpic.twitter.com/3DoCCtFN2F
He emphasized the need to address bottlenecks hindering the use of existing capacity and advocated for a national strategic agenda, including the duty-free importation of solar panels to promote solar energy utilization.
Additionally, he highlighted the importance of improving the efficiency of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for a long-term solution.
On a similar note, the Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, acknowledged the frustration caused by the power outages in parts of the country.
However, he assured the public that there is light at the end of the tunnel, attributing the situation to maintenance work by the ECG.
He expressed confidence that the maintenance works would soon be completed, ensuring uninterrupted power supply, as seen under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia Administration.
Responding to criticism from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ahiagbah asserted that the NDC is in no position to criticize, given the challenges faced during the Mahama administration’s tenure, characterized by severe Dumsor.
President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has announced his think tank’s plans to organize a demonstration against the government over the ongoing power outages, known as “dumsor.”
He emphasized that IMANI will conduct their protest at their own pace, and individuals who share their grievances are welcome to organize their demonstrations.
This disclosure comes after actress Yvonne Nelson called for IMANI to join her in organizing another demonstration, reminiscent of the one held in 2015.
“We have heard the call by the redoubtable Ms Yvonne Nelson for round two of #dumsormuststop. Fair call even as we (IMANI) have maintained our criticism of the government’s bad decisions for what often seems like a rudderless leadership, the latest dumsor episodes being the zenith. So as you can see ( T-shirts), we are preparing and we will make the call and choose how we demonstrate and who we want to partner at the right time.”
“Meanwhile, others can also organise their own unique protests in churches, mosques, bars, schools and homes,” Mr Cudjoe wrote on his Facebook platform.
Yvonne Nelson’s call comes amidst recent intermittent power outages, with many Ghanaians clamoring for a load-shedding timetable from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
In her post on X on Monday, April 22, Ms. Nelson expressed her readiness for IMANI’s outreach for the vigil, citing the organization’s involvement in a similar event in 2015.
She criticized President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), accusing them of taking the country for granted and emphasizing that such neglect should no longer be tolerated.
However, Mr. Cudjoe, in a Facebook post on Tuesday, April 23, responded sharply, stating that IMANI will choose partners for their protest, and Yvonne Nelson is free to organize her demonstration.
In recent months, the country has grappled with frequent power outages, commonly referred to as ‘dumsor’. While the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) attributes these disruptions to technical issues, there are dissenting voices, including the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), suggesting otherwise.
Amidst the worsening situation, Governance Expert Professor Baffuor Agyeman-Duah has urged the government to provide a schedule for power cuts, allowing Ghanaians to better plan their activities. He believes that the government’s response to resolving the power crisis has been lacking in proactivity.
During an appearance on TV3’s Ghana Tonight program on Monday, April 22, 2024, Professor Agyeman-Duah emphasized the need for the government to take immediate action to alleviate the situation, suggesting “The wise thing to do is to issue a timetable. The government hasn’t been too active in seeking solutions to problems,” he stated.
In March, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission instructed the Electricity Company of Ghana to provide a load management schedule by April 2, 2024.
Responding to this directive, ECG’s management reiterated that the power interruptions are due to technical issues and stated that they would not implement a formal load-shedding timetable.
As a consequence of this stance, the PURC levied fines totaling GH¢5.8 million against ECG board members for violations related to power cuts.
President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has stated that his think tank will not yield to pressure to organize a demonstration against the government over the ongoing power outages, known as “dumsor.”
He emphasized that IMANI will conduct their protest at their own pace, and individuals who share their grievances are welcome to organize their demonstrations.
This response comes after actress Yvonne Nelson called for IMANI to join her in organizing another demonstration, reminiscent of the one held in 2015.
Yvonne Nelson’s call came amidst recent intermittent power outages, with many Ghanaians clamoring for a load-shedding timetable from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
In her post on X on Monday, April 22, Ms. Nelson expressed her readiness for IMANI’s outreach for the vigil, citing the organization’s involvement in a similar event in 2015.
She criticized President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), accusing them of taking the country for granted and emphasizing that such neglect should no longer be tolerated.
However, Mr. Cudjoe, in a Facebook post on Tuesday, April 23, responded sharply, stating that IMANI will choose partners for their protest, and Yvonne Nelson is free to organize her demonstration.
“We have heard the call by the redoubtable Ms Yvonne Nelson for round two of #dumsormuststop. Fair call even as we (IMANI) have maintained our criticism of the government’s bad decisions for what often seems like a rudderless leadership, the latest dumsor episodes being the zenith. So as you can see ( T-shirts), we are preparing and we will make the call and choose how we demonstrate and who we want to partner at the right time.”
“Meanwhile, others can also organise their own unique protests in churches, mosques, bars, schools and homes.”
Traffic accident shook the bustling intersection of Lapazin the Greater Accra Region at 8:40 pm on Monday, April 22, 2024.
A “trotro” commercial bus collided with two pedestrians—a woman in her late 30s and a man in his late 20s—as they ventured across the busy thoroughfare.
The cause of the accident was attributed to malfunctioning traffic lights, a result of a power outage plaguing the area.
Eyewitnesses, including a reporter from GhanaWeb, sprang into action, swiftly removing the unconscious victims from harm’s way and rushing them to the nearest hospital for urgent medical attention.
This incident underscores the challenges posed by the ongoing power outages, commonly known as ‘dumsor’, affecting the country.
Many Ghanaians have voiced concerns about the adverse impact of ‘dumsor’ on their daily livesand safety, particularly on the roads, where streetlights and traffic signals frequently succumb to the darkness during power disruptions.
The Institute of Energy Security (IES) has demanded the immediate removal of Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, citing the deteriorating energy crisis as the basis for their request.
According to the IES, the current state of the energy sector requires urgent action, leading to their call for the minister’s dismissal.
The Executive Director of IES, Nana Amoasi VII, expressed dissatisfaction with the minister’s perceived lack of action in a Monday interview on Eyewitness News.
He pointed out the minister’s apparent detachment from the reality of the energy situation, questioning the purpose of his presence in such a crucial position.
“Where we have gotten to, there is no circuit and so what is the use of the minister in that space? He must be relieved, probably to concentrate on any other agenda he is bidding for. He must be relieved of his post. It is becoming too much. Is it not insulting with the statement that he made? Total disrespect to consumers. Are we asking for too much?
“For God’s sake, I am a prepaid consumer. I have paid for that power that you need to supply me. In fact, you chose to put a meter in my house at a fee, that is also a contract in a form, and he chose to take my money in advance.
“If I am not going to get the power, then just out of respect, at least tell me when I can have the power. But don’t look into my face and say, I should go and produce my own timetable.”
In March of this year, Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh responded to calls for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to publish a load-shedding timetable by challenging advocates to create their own proposed schedules.
His comments came during a period of significant power challenges in the country, particularly in the Greater Accra Region, affecting individuals and businesses alike.
Speaking to reporters at the inauguration of the NPP campaign team in the Ashanti Region, Dr. Opoku Prempeh challenged critics to develop their own timetable if they believed it was necessary.
He questioned the rationale behind creating a timetable when ECG had stated that no such plan was in place.
“Let those who want the timetable bring it. What do you mean? I don’t know of any timetable because the ECG has said it is not necessary. Why would someone just wish evil for the country?” he asked.
Energy Minister Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh says those calling for a load-shedding timetable should release one themselves.#NewsCentralpic.twitter.com/tVCM1H6dHj
Economic Advisor and Spokesperson for the Vice President, Dr. Gideon Boako,has provided reassurance to Ghanaians regarding the ongoing power cuts (dumsor) across the nation.
He expressed strong optimism that the electricity challenges currently faced by the populace will be resolved by the end of this month.
“The information I have and from where I sit, I know the power cuts are likely to end by the end of this month,” he said on Peace FM’s morning show “Kokrokoo.”.
However, the Spokesperson for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia expressed deep concern about the inconsistent power supply experienced by communities nationwide.
Dr. Boako criticised the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for its failure to provide consumers with a timetable to assist them in planning their daily activities.
He emphasised the importance of transparent information for citizens to prevent damage to their goods and unnecessary expenses.
Dr. Boako lamented the challenges faced by Ghanaians due to the irregular electricity supply, underscoring the need for improved communication from utility providers.
“Ghanaians need concise, explicit communication,” he insisted, adding, “we should be able to tell people that this is the problem and by this time, by this date, the problem will be solved.”
Despite the incessant power outages disrupting homes and businesses across Ghana, former Member of Parliament for Ayensuano, Samuel Ayeh-Paye, maintains that the country is not in the throes of the dreaded‘dumsor’ era, marked by severe power crises.
Ayeh-Paye’s assertion comes amidst widespread calls from affected sectors for the government to issue a load-shedding timetable to manage the erratic power supply situation.
Echoing Energy Minister Matthew Opoku Prempeh’s stance from last month, Ayeh-Paye denies the existence of ‘dumsor’ and challenges advocates of load-shedding to provide their own timetables.
According to Ayeh-Paye, Ghana currently possesses sufficient installed capacity to meet power demand, but technical challenges are hindering the full utilisation of that capacity.
“We are having some power outages and according to the power agencies, they are saying that there is no ‘dumsor’ but technical challenges. ‘Dumsor’ happens when you don’t have enough power to produce or supply the exact peak demand that we need,” he explained.
“As we speak, our peak production is around 3,600 megawatts, and what we get is a little below that and we have a shortfall, and what they [the power agencies] are saying is that the shortfall is not as a result of not having an installed capacity. The calculation is having about 5,000 plus installed capacity.”
Ayeh-Paye further dismissed suggestions that the outages are due to financial constraints in procuring fuel for power plants or paying independent power producers.
He stated, “What the [Energy] Ministry is telling us is that the issue is not about us not having money to buy fuel, the issue is about some of the plants being under maintenance and repairs and the ECG is also telling us that they have challenges with their transformers.”
Despite the assurances, the intermittent disruptions have sparked concerns among businesses and residents who experienced the crippling ‘dumsor’ crisis between 2012 and 2016.
Hearts of Oak’s head coach, Abubakar Ouattara, has attributed his team’s defeat over the weekend to a power outage and water shortage the night before their game.
The Phobians suffered a 2-0 loss to Legon Cities on matchday 27 of the Ghana Premier League in Dawu, with Albert Yeboah scoring a second-half brace in the fixture.
Following the defeat, which marked their fourth loss in five games, fans confronted the Hearts coach over the team’s recent performances.
Ouattara calmed the situation by explaining that off-field issues led to his team’s poor performance on the game day.
“These are the materials I have. I do not have any players anywhere else, so, I have to work with them. So be patient and hear me out,” said the Ivorian after during his post-match interview with StarTimes.
“Yesterday at the hotel, we did not have electricity or water.”
Following Asante Kotoko’s win over FC Samartex on Sunday afternoon, Hearts of Oak dropped to 11th place on the league table.
Prophet Kofi Oduro ofAlabaster International Ministry has strongly criticised the government for the ongoing power outages, commonly known as dumsor, across the country.
Amid widespread complaints from Ghanaians about the outages, coupled with the government’s reluctance to acknowledge them as load-shedding, frustration has mounted.
Many are particularly upset by the Electricity Company of Ghana’s refusal to provide a load-shedding timetable.
During a recent sermon, Prophet Kofi Oduro attributed the current situation to poor leadership and financial mismanagement.
“Today, I slept outside, in my house, on three chairs combined. You can’t sleep because you are living in a nation that has no leadership; we voted for them, we’ve given them free food, free water, free fuel, free electricity, free everything, we have given them a salary and we have asked them to fix our issues.
“Ghana, you are crippled, you are blind, and your leaders are blind and dumb dogs who cannot speak and cannot perform. You are 67 and you are struggling with common electricity.
“Electricity is a common amenity; what is happening is not a lack of supply; it is a money issue and if it is a money issue, it is mismanagement.
This electricity issue is revealing how flawed our leadership is. Flawed leadership, I don’t care about your parties or who is in office,” he stressed.
“Hope must be restored; we are praying for you and speaking positively that things will get well, When lights go off and we are in the heat, your generator starts automatically, What kind of nonsense is this?” he asked.
Many online users have taken to social media to express their frustration and demand urgent action from the government regarding the ongoing power outages (dumsor) plaguing the country.
The prolonged and unpredictable power cuts, commonly referred to as ‘dumsor,’ have persisted for several months, prompting widespread concern among citizens.
Despite assurances from the government, communicated through the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), that the issues causing the power cuts have been resolved, many areas continue to experience disruptions in power supply.
The ECG’s statement on March 29, 2024, insisted that any power outages were due to localised faults rather than a widespread return of ‘dumsor.’
However, the situation has not improved for many affected individuals and communities since the issuance of the ECG’s statement.
In recent online discussions, numerous users have shared their experiences of the adverse effects of the power cuts, particularly concerning the discomfort and challenges faced, especially by young children, during hot nights without electricity.
Umaru Sanda Amadu, a multimedia journalist at Citi FM and Citi TV, for instance, tweeted, “I can hear people’s children crying from nearby homes. Mine are sweating but not crying yet. They’re sweating because the power is off again, and the government officials we pay to fix it can’t be bothered! Sad State. #Dumsor is here, but they don’t care.”
Another user, @niilexis, described how some of his neighbours had to eventually turn on their cars to allow their newborns to enjoy some air-conditioning.
“Two neighbours had to put their cars on so their newly-born babies could escape the heat and have some relief to sleep. It’s 2024; this shouldn’t be how we live our lives,” he tweeted.
A young lady who said she nearly lost her job because of this situation wrote, “I nearly cried yesterday. Light off from 7am to 6pm, came back for only 15mins. Yes 15mins, and off again till this morning. All gadgets went off, missed meetings, no calls. Nearly lost my job.”
Gary Al-Smith of the Multimedia Group had this to say:
“Heartbreaking to see dumsor back with this kind of vengeance. For those of us with little kids, it’s a chastening experience that should not be suffered.”
A mother, @OyooQuartey, shared a photo of how she cared for her daughter in the heat, with the caption:
“This was us two nights ago in this dumsor.I made a cold compress to cool her down in the intolerable heat. 1am to 2am before I slept in the couch by the open window. I almost wept with exhaustion. Isn’t there any protest coming up?”
Amidst widespread frustration and calls for transparency from the government regarding the recent unexplained power disruptions across Ghana, a statement from theElectricity Company of Ghana (ECG), issued on March 29, 2024, has resurfaced online.
In the statement, ECG clarified that the current power fluctuations are not indicative of a resurgence of “dumsor,” the term commonly used to describe erratic power supply in the country.
Instead, the ECG asserted that Ghana is experiencing a “stable national power supply” or a stable national grid.
Furthermore, the statement attributed any ongoing power outages post-dated March 29, 2024, to localised faults rather than systemic issues.
ECG also provided contact details for customers experiencing power-related challenges to seek assistance.
Despite these assurances, many individuals continue to grapple with the inconvenience of unannounced power interruptions, particularly during the evenings. Concerns have been raised, especially regarding the impact on children’s sleep patterns due to the disruptions.
For instance, Umaru Sanda Amadu, a multimedia journalist at Citi FM and Citi TV, tweeted, “I can hear people’s children crying from nearby homes. Mine are sweating but not crying yet. They’re sweating because the power is off again, and the government officials we pay to fix it can’t be bothered! Sad State. #Dumsor is here,but they don’t care.”
Another user, @niilexis, described how some of his neighbours had to eventually turn on their cars to allow their newborns to enjoy some air-conditioning.
“Two neighbours had to put their cars on so their newly-born babies could escape the heat and have some relief to sleep. It’s 2024, this shouldn’t be how we live our lives,” he tweeted.
A young lady who said she nearly lost her job because of this situation wrote, “I nearly cried yesterday. Light off from 7am to 6 p.m. and came back for only 15 minutes. Yes, 15 minutes, and off again till this morning. All gadgets went off, missed meetings, no calls. I nearly lost my job.”
Gary Al-Smith of the Multimedia Group, had this to say:
“Heartbreaking to see Dumsor back with this kind of vengeance. For those of us with little kids, it’s a chastening experience that should not be suffered.”
President Akufo-Addo has publicly acknowledged the recent challenges in power supply, reassuring the nation of the government’s firm commitment to resolving these issues.
He expressed gratitude for the patience shown by Ghanaians during the recent power outages and reiterated ongoing efforts to address the challenges.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Kumasi 1 Thermal Plant in the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, April 17, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the difficulties faced not only by the people of Ashanti but also by citizens across the nation.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Parliament’s Mines and Energy Committee, Samuel Atta Akyea, has cautioned against politicizing electricity issues and emphasized the universal need for reliable power supply regardless of political affiliations.
“It is useless when propaganda is what people want to embark upon. I thought when it comes to electricity or power generation, I said and I will repeat it, it doesn’t have party colours. Everybody in Ghana needs electricity. And therefore when there is an undertaking to build on the power base of this nation and people want to pooh-pooh it, it doesn’t accord with common sense. What kind of government do you want to come and inherit? A government that will not have the use of electricity?
“I don’t know our sense of governance. Our sense of governance is that Ghana should be the ultimate beneficiary. If it is NPP, fine. If it is NDC, that is what it should be. But when it is not coming from your government and you want to undermine it, it leaves much to be desired.”
In a nighttime demonstration on April 17, 2024, hundreds of protesters flooded the streets of Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, to voice their frustration against ongoing power supply challenges.
The protest, known as the “dumsor vigil,” saw participants carrying placards expressing discontent with the erratic power supply and frequent blackouts, locally known as ‘dumsor.’
Videos and images circulated by local media outlets depicted a sizable crowd marching through the streets, some holding lanterns and candles to illuminate the nighttime protest.
Of particular note is the demonstration’s location in Kumasi, a stronghold of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), adding significance to the event.
“The protest dubbed ‘dumsor vigil’ is to express their displeasure and urge government to address the root causes of the power issues and take swift action,” captioned Accra-based Citi FM on social media.
Traders voiced concerns about the adverse impact of recent power cuts on their businesses, highlighting the tangible effects of the ongoing energy crisis.
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the power distributor, has faced mounting pressure to publish a load-shedding timetable in response to the public outcry.
However, ECG has attributed the outages to overloaded transformers, rejecting claims of implementing a load-shedding programme.
This stance was contradicted by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), which asserted that ECG’s outages constituted a form of load shedding that had not been adequately communicated to the public.
In response, PURC imposed fines on ECG’s board members, underscoring the regulatory pushback against the power distributor’s handling of the crisis.
Member of Parliament for Bongo, Edward Bawa, has outlined the measures undertaken by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to tackle the recurring power outages known as “dumsor.”
During the Mahama administration, Ghana faced a significant power crisis, leading to widespread criticism. However, some NDC leaders have claimed that they resolved the “dumsor” before their term ended.
In a Face to Face interview on Citi TV, Edward Bawa stated that the Mahama government successfully addressed all initial problems causing the power outages.
He highlighted that issues such as generation capacity, fuel security, and unpaid accumulated legacy debts were resolved in 2015.
“Essentially, by the close of 2015, the major issues that had to do with the power sector had been dealt with. When the NDC came, obviously these problems were still there waiting to strike again. Unfortunately, it reared its head in 2013, when we had a problem with the breached pipeline and that told us that we needed to do something about our fuel security properly. By the close of 2015, we had procured enough generation power to be able to deal with the immediate cause of “Dumsor”.
“Generation was the immediate issue, that part by the close of 2015, actually had been dealt with. There was also a financial aspect of it which was dealt with, particularly just the end of 2015 and 2016. We were dealing with the debts and then by the close of 2015, we had also dealt with the fuel security issue because we had then brought on board Atuabo Gas Plant that was going to utilize our gas.”
Mr Bawa highlighted that the government introduced the Energy Sector Levy Act (ESLA) to eliminate legacy debts resulting from utility inefficiencies and unallocated subsidies.
“It was the financial aspect of it which had to do with the energy sector levy. The legacy debt and so the ESLA was to retire the legacy debts. The NDC government under John Mahama felt that in five years, it would be able to retire the debts and also ensured that no new debt was piled up, so Compact 2 was brought in.”
