Ursula Owusu and NAPO at Yvonne Nlson’s Dumsor Vigil
Amidst cascading worries surrounding the recurrent power shortages in Ghana, there’s a flourishing discourse regarding the potential unveiling of a “Dumsor” schedule by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
Speculation is rife that an aspiring running mate and Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, fondly referred to as NAPO, may be impeding the publication of this timetable due to political motives linked to the imminent selection of a running mate to partner Vice President Dr Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia.
The issue stems from the uptick in power outages reminiscent of the notorious “Dumsor” era during the John Mahama administration.
With Citizens grappling with the inconvenience and economic fallout of these blackouts, there’s a heightened clamor for transparency from ECG in furnishing a comprehensive plan outlining the load shedding strategy to help consumers manage expectations and plan accordingly.
Reports suggest that NAPO, who is moving heaven and earth to be named as Bawumia’s running mate for the 2024 general elections, could be exerting undue influence on ECG’s decision-making process regarding the timetable’s release. This has prompted conjecture that political considerations, particularly pertaining to the selection of a running mate for the upcoming elections, might be influencing the handling of the power crisis.
Critics argue that NAPO is obstructing the release of the timetable due to concerns that it could impact his chances of being nominated as Running mate alongside Bawumia.
Political Pundits suggest that a Bawumia/NAPO ticket may lose favor among voters, given the narrative that contributed to Mahama’s defeat in 2016 if the ‘dumsor’ lingers.
As a result, there’s speculation that NAPO may be delaying the publication of the “dumsor” timetable until after the announcement of the running mate, expected in April 2024.
They emphasize that the energy minister’s primary responsibility should be addressing the needs of the Ghanaian populace and ensuring transparent communication regarding the power situation, rather than prioritizing personal political interests.
Meanwhile, when asked by journalists about the demands of the Ghanaian public for a load-shedding timetable, Matthew Opoku Prempeh casually suggested that Ghanaians should create their own timetable.
Expressing disappointment with the minister’s stance, Nana Amoasi IV, the Executive Director of the Institute for Energy Security (IES), criticized the remarks, stating that they are emblematic of the government’s dismissive attitude towards public concerns regarding persistent power outages.
Nana Amoasi IV accused Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh of impeding ECG from issuing a “Dumsor” timetable due to apprehensions about political fallout. He posits that “Dumsor” will persist until ECG is granted autonomy to operate freely and independently.
Meanwhile, on Easter Friday, the ECG seized the opportunity to inform its customers and the public that the national power supply remains stable. They emphasized that any power outages should be viewed as localized faults, asserting confidence in their stable national power grid and dismissing the possibility of interruptions in power supply.
As Ghanaians endure the uncertainties stemming from erratic power supply, there’s an urgent need for effective solutions to mitigate the impact of “Dumsor” on daily life and economic activities. Amid ongoing deliberations regarding the timetable’s release, the public eagerly awaits clarity on the matter and hopes for expeditious action to address the enduring power challenges.
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