The Ministry of Energy has provided clarification over recent remarks made by the sector minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, regarding the release of a timetable for ongoing power outages.
Dr. Prempeh challenged those advocating for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to issue a load-shedding timetable to present their own proposed schedules. During the inauguration of the NPP campaign team in the Ashanti Region, he encouraged critics to develop their own timetables if they deemed it necessary.
He questioned the rationale behind creating a timetable when the ECG has confirmed that no such plan is in place.
His comments during an interview with a JoyNews journalist have received criticism from scores of Ghanaians.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, March 26, and signed by the Minister’s spokesperson, Kofi Abrefa Afena, the Energy Ministry noted that “the rather innocuous statements of the Minister as captured by the interview have been distorted to portray him as being insensitive to the plight of Ghanaians.”
The statement clarified that the Minister holds respect for Ghanaians, as has been his attitude, and did not intend to disrespect citizens.
According to the statement, Dr Opoku Prempeh asserted that there was no need for the release of a timetable for the recent power outages due to the fact that work was being done to ensure the consistent supply of power.
“The Minister dismissed the need for a load management time table because in his view and as indicated by the Electricity Company of Ghana, the causes of the temporary power chalenges are being addressed.”
“The Honourable Minister has always been sensitive to the plight of the Ghanaian people and continues to ask for their forbearance, as has always been the case when challenges relative ot power stability emerge.”
“The Ministry wishes to assure the general public that the Ministry as the policy maker and mother agency of the various power sector actors is working assiduously with these agencies to ensure that the temporary challenges are resolved,” the statement concluded.
A sober explnation would have been better than the snobbish retort.