As calls for transparency and accountability in Ghana’s energy sector grow louder, the recent remarks by Energy Minister Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh have sparked mixed reactions.
Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, at the inauguration of the NPP campaign team in the Ashanti Region, challenged those advocating for a load-shedding timetable to develop their own if they deem it necessary, saying, “Ask those who want it to bring it if there is. I haven’t seen any timetable. The ECG says that there’s no timetable coming, why do you want to bring a timetable, for what purpose? Why will somebody get up and wish evil or bad for the country?”
In a statement released on Thursday, March 28, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) disclosed that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) failed to comply with its directive to publish a load management timetable, aimed at addressing the recurrent power outages caused by 630 transformers. Despite this, ECG cited struggles in adhering to the load-shedding directive.
While ECG claims the national grid’s stability, it is also pushing for tariff increases to offset forex losses and tackle the mounting energy sector debt.
Speaking on The Key Points, political science professor Ransford Gyampo criticised players within the energy sector, suggesting a disconnect from reality. According to Prof Gyampo, “When we select or we elect leaders and we ring-fence them from the problems they are elected to solve, the problems do not get solved.”
He further added, “If you don’t appreciate the problems that people feel, it is difficult for you to fashion out a proactive solution to the problem.”
Read also:
- “We must legislate against Presidential Dead-Goatism”- Gyampo says as he criticises Akufo-Addo
- Power cuts: We don’t want explanations, give us a solution – Gyampo
Similarly, the MP for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, attributed the power sector challenges to financial mismanagement. The MP while speaking on The Key Points said “The problem is because you have mismanaged the finances of this country, you have squandered the monies kept in the energy sector levy account, you have mismanaged the dollar”
Governance expert Professor Baffour Agyeman Duah warned of dire consequences for the upcoming December polls if the power situation remains unaddressed.
The former UN advisor on governance said, “I can’t believe that in an election year they are sitting and playing this kind of blame game, the people of Ghana will show the verdict of their performance in the upcoming elections.”
Duncan Amoah, Executive Director of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), predicted a looming power crisis for the next government, citing inadequate investment and accountability in the energy sector.
For Duncan Amoah, “Any government that takes over from this government, be it an NPP government or an NDC government will suffer the same fate of the John Mahama administration suffered because we are not investing in the power sector.”
However, Kingsly Amoakwa Boadu, a communication team member of the NPP, urged against politicising the issue, emphasising the need for unified action.
As tensions rise and blame is exchanged, Ghana finds itself at a critical juncture, with its energy future hanging precariously in the balance.