Dumsor Is Slowing Down The Economy –Minority

The Minority in Parliament has sounded the alarm over Ghana’s worsening power crisis, known as “dumsor,” warning that persistent outages are crippling businesses and derailing economic growth.

In a press conference held on Monday, 19th May, 2025 members of the Minority Caucus on Parliament’s Energy Committee said the ongoing electricity challenges are undermining the government’s touted 24-hour economy vision.

“Dumsor is slowing down the economy. Businesses are collapsing and the private sector, which is the engine of growth, cannot operate in darkness.

“How can hospitals, agro-processing factories, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and even the creative industries function around the clock when the lights keep going off?” according to the Minority.

The Minority expressed dismay over recent public statements made by Energy Minister, John Jinapor, particularly his claim that the country had only “2.6 days of fuel” left for power generation.

According to them, such remarks are not only misleading, but damaging to investor confidence.

“Statements like these send panic through a business community still recovering from COVID-19 and global economic shocks. Power is the lifeblood of industry and reckless pronouncements from the Minister are unacceptable,” the group said.

They accused the Minister of engaging in “panic-then-retreat” communication tactics, referencing a similar instance during the President’s swearing-in ceremony when the Minister claimed Ghana had only five hours of fuel left – a claim he later walked back from.

“The Minister must stop frightening Ghanaians and start fixing the problems,” the Minority urged, adding “This is not the time for political theatrics. It is time to stop talking and put the lights on.”

The Minority acknowledged the NDC government’s own challenges with power supply from 2012 to 2016 and that the first Mahama administration left a sector riddled with legacy debts and take-or-pay contracts.

They also pointed out that since 2017 the NPP government had significantly improved the energy sector, ensuring eight years of relatively stable electricity supply.

According to the Caucus, the NPP government added 1,600 MW of power between 2017 and 2024 through projects like the TT2PP, Amandi, Bui Solar and Laura/Kaleo Solar among others. Investments were also made in major transmission infrastructure and access to electricity expanded to 88.85% of the population.

“Yet today, under this same administration, the current generation is witnessing dumsor for the first time – a tragic irony. Their parents suffered through it a decade ago and now it is back,” the Minority stated.

The Caucus laid out a seven-point action plan and demanded immediate intervention from the Energy Minister to resolve the crisis.

Their proposals include;

1. Resolving fuel supply issues for Independent Power Producers (IPPs)
2. Renegotiating burdensome take-or-pay contracts
3. Improving revenue collection and reducing losses at ECG and NEDCO
4. Fixing the Cash Waterfall Mechanism
5. Diversifying the energy mix through renewables and local gas optimization
6. Promoting off-peak industrial consumption
7. Accelerating the rollout of smart meters

 

They added that the recent appreciation of the Ghana cedi should be leveraged to recover some of the financial losses in the energy sector.

“Leadership is about solutions, not excuses. We understand the financial constraints, but Ghanaians are paying 14.75% more in tariffs this year – they deserve reliable power in return.”

The MPs warned that the patience of Ghanaians is wearing thin, and the current trajectory could lead to a return to the dark days of prolonged power cuts unless urgent measures are taken.

They concluded by reaffirming that the Minority will continue to hold the government accountable and ensure that Ghanaians are not forced to endure yet another cycle of darkness.

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