The Minority in Parliament has dismissed President John Dramani Mahama’s claims that his administration effectively ended the nation’s power crisis, popularly known as “dumsor,” in 2016.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, March 3, former Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam challenged President Mahama to publish an official load-shedding timetable to help businesses and households manage the ongoing power interruptions.
Dr. Amin Adam refuted Mahama’s assertion in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) that the current power crisis is due to substantial debts in the energy sector.
According to him, the Akufo-Addo administration had ensured a stable power supply before leaving office, making Mahama’s remarks misleading.
“Mr. President, you did not resolve ‘dumsor’ as you claimed in your address. Your record on tackling ‘dumsor’ is unimpressive, unlike your predecessor, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who ensured a reliable power supply. Now that ‘dumsor’ has resurfaced under your leadership, Ghanaians are once again facing uncertainty and hardship, particularly small business owners such as hairdressers, welders, and tailors, who rely heavily on electricity to make a living,” Dr. Amin Adam stated.
The Minority stressed that the deteriorating power situation is taking a toll on small businesses, forcing many to rely on expensive alternatives like generators.
They pointed out that shops, clinics, and social gatherings now heavily depend on generators to sustain their activities, a sign of worsening energy conditions.
“Many individuals and businesses are already suffering due to these persistent power outages. The increasing use of generators in shops, clinics, and at public events is clear evidence of the worsening power supply situation,” the Minority noted.
They further urged the government to be transparent about the crisis by issuing a load-shedding timetable to enable businesses and households to plan adequately and minimize financial losses.
“This is the reality of our nation today! To ease the burden of these irregular power supplies, we, the Mighty Minority, urge the government to release a load-shedding timetable so people and businesses can plan effectively and mitigate the economic impact,” they added.
The ongoing electricity supply challenges have sparked public concern, reigniting discussions on the state of Ghana’s energy sector and the administration’s ability to provide a sustainable solution.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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