The political landscape in Ghana is ablaze with contentious debate surrounding the recurring power crisis, colloquially known as “dumsor.” The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has vehemently refuted President John Dramani Mahama’s assertion that his previous administration successfully resolved the energy crisis in 2016. This disagreement centers on the current intermittent power outages plaguing various parts of the country, sparking concerns about economic stability and the well-being of businesses and households. The NPP argues that these outages represent the resurgence of “dumsor,” directly contradicting President Mahama’s claim of past success in addressing the issue.
President Mahama, in his recent State of the Nation Address, attributed the current power challenges to the substantial debt burden within the energy sector. He suggested that this inherited debt, coupled with other economic factors, is the primary driver of the ongoing power supply instability. However, the NPP, led by former Finance Minister Mohammed Amin Adam, has dismissed this explanation. They contend that the previous NPP administration, under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, had effectively stabilized the power supply, leaving a robust energy infrastructure capable of meeting the nation’s needs. The NPP accuses Mahama of attempting to shift blame and avoid accountability for the renewed power crisis.
The NPP has called on President Mahama to release an official load-shedding timetable. They argue that such a timetable would provide businesses and households with the necessary information to plan their operations effectively and mitigate the economic repercussions of power outages. This demand reflects the NPP’s belief that the current administration is not adequately addressing the situation and that a transparent plan for managing the outages is urgently needed. The NPP further asserts that the lack of a schedule exacerbates the economic damage caused by “dumsor” and contributes to uncertainty and anxiety among Ghanaians.
At the heart of the NPP’s critique is the claim that President Mahama’s record on addressing “dumsor” during his first term was abysmal. They draw a stark contrast between Mahama’s alleged failures and the purported success of the Akufo-Addo administration in maintaining a stable power supply. The NPP portrays the return of power outages under President Mahama’s second term as evidence of a recurring pattern of mismanagement within the energy sector. They emphasize the fear and anxiety that these outages evoke among Ghanaians who recall the significant disruptions caused by “dumsor” in the past.
The NPP has highlighted the detrimental impact of the intermittent power supply on small businesses, emphasizing the vulnerability of enterprises like hair salons, welding shops, and dressmaking businesses that rely heavily on electricity. These businesses often lack the resources to invest in alternative power sources, making them particularly susceptible to the economic fallout from “dumsor.” The NPP contends that the widespread use of generators in shops, clinics, and even social events further underscores the severity of the power crisis and the inadequacy of the government’s response.
The NPP maintains that the resurgence of “dumsor” and the government’s failure to provide a clear plan for managing the situation paint a grim picture of the nation’s current state. Their call for a load-shedding timetable is framed as a crucial step towards mitigating the economic damage and providing much-needed transparency and predictability for businesses and households struggling to cope with the unreliable power supply. The NPP’s forceful criticisms and demands underscore the deep political divide in Ghana and the high stakes surrounding the ongoing energy crisis. The ongoing debate will likely continue to shape the political discourse as the nation grapples with the challenges of providing stable and reliable electricity to its citizens.
