Former Energy Minister, Dr Kwabena Donkor, has countered President Akufo-Addo‘s recent statement asserting that Ghana is not grappling with intermittent power supply, commonly known as dumsor. Dr Donkor contends that the country is indeed facing power challenges, leading to load-shedding exercises nationwide.
In an interview with Citi FM on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, Dr Donkor emphasized that Ghana is currently experiencing a deficit in power generation, necessitating the implementation of load-shedding measures. He highlighted the reduction in power exports to neighboring countries as evidence of Ghana’s insufficient power production.
“The government can lay claim that there has not been load shedding, which is not accurate. Indeed, two days ago, we were shedding 600 megawatts at peak. We have consistently shed load in the last month. Almost every week, we shed load. In fact, our export to Cote d’Ivoire, export to Burkina Faso, export to Togo, Benin have been cut because we are not able to generate enough, and every Ghanaian will testify,” Dr. Donkor remarked.
These assertions directly contradict President Akufo-Addo’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered in parliament on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. The President had lauded his government’s success in averting dumsor, contrasting it with the challenges faced during the John Dramani Mahama administration.
“Mr. Speaker, between 2012 and early 2017, there was nothing more demoralizing than the phenomenon we called DUMSOR. It was symptomatic of a dysfunctional system, and it caused widespread depression among businesses and households. After that experience, my government was determined that DUMSOR would not be inflicted upon Ghana and Ghanaians under an NPP government, and I am glad to be able to say, SO FAR, SO GOOD, we have managed to keep the lights on these last seven (7) years, even in the midst of a financial crisis,” President Akufo-Addo stated during his address.
The conflicting narratives between the former Minister of Power and the President underscore the ongoing debate surrounding the state of Ghana’s power supply. As the discourse continues, Ghanaians await further developments and clarifications regarding the nation’s energy situation.
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.