Former Power Minister, Dr. Kwabena Donkor, has cautioned that Ghana could encounter economic and security challenges due to a decrease in electricity exports to Burkina Faso.
He emphasized that despite Ghana’s contractual obligations with the neighboring country, failure to fulfill these agreements might prompt Burkina Faso to seek alternative solutions.
Dr. Donkor warned that if Burkina Faso decides to construct a dam as an alternative, it could impact Ghana’s electricity production.
Speaking on JoyNews, he explained, “For example, Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, other than solar, is totally dependent on power from Ghana 100%. If you give Burkina Faso and Sunnabel zero (power) whether peak or off-peak, it means they are in darkness.
“It has both economic and security implications, as well as even strategic implications. Let’s take the strategic implication first. If I were Burkinabe or was in the leadership of Burkina Faso, one I will say supply from Ghana is unreliable, why don’t you look for alternate sources?
His remarks come after a directive was issued to limit electricity exports to other countries until Ghana’s power crisis is resolved.
Samuel Atta Akyea, Chairman of the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament, hinted at reducing power exports as a measure to tackle the erratic power supply.
However, Dr. Donkor criticized this approach as short-sighted and potentially problematic. He highlighted concerns about breaching contractual obligations and the impact on Ghana’s domestic supply.
Dr. Donkor also noted the challenge of erratic payments for power purchased by the Electricity Company of Ghana from the Bui Power Authority, which threatens the authority’s operations.
“And the alternate sources could be building more dams, mini dams in Burkina. Remember, the Volta takes its source outside Ghana. So if they begin to build more dams, it will affect our generation. So we must always have that in mind.”
“And it was so short-sighted. Okay, in order to boost domestic supply, let’s breach our contractual obligations. [But wouldn’t that come with implications?] Absolutely,” he added.
“Bui, there was an overdrafting of Bui late last year till now, so Bui’s generation has to slow down and it’s slowing down because if it doesn’t slow down, then the reservoir will run out. So Bui’s contribution now, in terms of quantum, is going down.
“Well, Bui has a challenge. ECG is Bui’s only off-taker. And when ECG is unable to pay, in fact, there have been months when Bui has had to take a bank overdraft to pay salaries. Because ECG was unable to pay them.”