Ghana is bracing for a potential power crisis popularly referred to as dumsor as the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) is set to undergo maintenance from January 20 to February 16, 2025. This development threatens the supply of natural gas to critical thermal power plants, particularly those in Tema. The Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) estimates that a staggering $90 million is required to procure alternative fuels like light crude oil to keep these plants operational during the maintenance period.
The maintenance, which was originally scheduled for October 2024, was postponed at the request of the Minister for Energy. However, it remains unclear why the rescheduling was deemed necessary, raising questions about planning and transparency in the energy sector.
Transition Troubles: Claims of Sabotage To Create Possible Dumsor
During the recent transition meetings, Hon. John Jinapor, a key member of the incoming administration, revealed alarming findings. According to him, the outgoing NPP government claimed enough fuel was secured. This was false, leaving the new administration struggling.
Hon. Jinapor stated, “This administration has not ordered any fuel as we speak, and it takes on average four weeks for the fuel to arrive and four weeks for the fuel to be treated, and so we are in a very serious situation,” he said in an interview with Joy News. He hinted that the outgone administration assured them that they had procured enough fuel, but this has turned out to be untrue. This according to many Ghanaians seems like sabotage, making an already difficult situation even more challenging.
A History of “Dumsor”
Ghanaians are no strangers to power outages, locally referred to as “dumsor.” The term, which translates to “off and on” in Akan, encapsulates the frustration of irregular and unpredictable power supply. While significant progress had been made in recent years, this looming crisis threatens to plunge the country back into the era of frequent blackouts.
The Way Forward
To mitigate the impact of the WAGP shutdown, the government has formed a committee to develop a roadmap. GRIDCo has emphasized the urgency of securing $90 million to ensure that thermal plants can operate without interruption. Meanwhile, the Institute for Energy Security (IES) has issued warnings about the potential consequences of inaction, urging swift measures to prevent a nationwide power crisis.
TV3 has reported on this looming crisis, providing details of the GRIDCo report and emphasizing the need for alternative fuel procurement to prevent blackouts. You can read their full report on their website here.
The maintenance of the WAGP, while necessary, highlights the country’s over-reliance on natural gas for power generation. Experts have long advocated for diversifying Ghana’s energy mix to include more renewable sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower.
Public Reaction
The public has expressed concern over the crisis, with many questioning the transparency of the outgoing administration. Social media platforms are abuzz with discussions, with some accusing the previous government of deliberately sabotaging the incoming administration. Others are calling for a national dialogue to address the structural issues plaguing the energy sector.
A Call to Action
The situation underscores the need for decisive leadership and collaboration across political divides. While the immediate focus is on securing funds to keep the lights on, the long-term solution lies in robust energy planning, increased investment in renewables, and accountability in governance.
As Ghana navigates this challenging period, the resilience of its people and the competence of its leaders will be put to the test. The stakes are high, and the consequences of failure are too dire to contemplate.
Keywords: Ghana power crisis, WAGP maintenance, GRIDCo, dumsor, energy security in Ghana, John Jinapor comments, Ghana energy challenges.
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