IES Warns of Looming Power Crisis: Calls for Urgent Action from Mahama Administration
Ghana is on the brink of a power crisis, often called “dumsor,” according to a stark warning issued by the Institute for Energy Security (IES). The organization is urging the newly inaugurated Mahama administration to take swift action to avoid severe energy disruptions.
The warning comes after John Abdulai Jinapor, Member of Parliament for Yapei Kusawgu, raised concerns about the nation’s dwindling fuel reserves. Speaking on Tuesday, January 7, 2024, following President John Dramani Mahama’s inauguration in Accra, Jinapor revealed that Ghana’s fuel supply could sustain operations for only five more hours.
Jinapor criticized the outgoing government for failing to secure sufficient fuel, leaving the incoming administration in a precarious position.
Energy Sector in Crisis: Poor Planning and Inefficiencies
Nana Amoasi VII, Executive Director of the IES, echoed these concerns during an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News. He outlined the fragile state of Ghana’s energy sector, attributing the looming crisis to poor planning and systemic inefficiencies.
“It’s not unexpected,” Nana Amoasi VII stated. “We’ve long known that Ghana’s power sector is vulnerable due to structural inefficiencies and inadequate planning.”
He highlighted the country’s heavy reliance on natural gas for power generation and the lack of sufficient liquid fuel reserves as key challenges. “Most of our power plants can operate on both natural gas and liquid fuel, but we’ve failed to maintain adequate liquid fuel stocks as a backup. This leaves us exposed to disruptions,” he explained.
Transition Mismanagement Deepens the Crisis of Dumsor
Nana Amoasi VII expressed disappointment over the absence of contingency plans during the transition between administrations.
“We anticipated that procurement or fuel-lifting arrangements would have been made to ensure uninterrupted power supply,” he said. “Unfortunately, our findings show that no such arrangements were made. This oversight has left the country in a vulnerable state.”
Dumsor | Urgent Call for Immediate Action
The IES calls on the Mahama administration to prioritize stabilizing the energy sector and addressing the critical fuel shortage.
“We appeal to the current administration to act immediately. Without decisive intervention, the country risks facing significant power outages,” Nana Amoasi VII urged.
Stakeholders and energy experts are united in their call for swift and decisive measures to avert the crisis, restore stability, and rebuild confidence in Ghana’s energy infrastructure.