In a Facebook post on Friday, January 30, the Minister said he held a meeting with leadership from key power sector agencies to assess the current state of electricity supply across the country.

Mr Jinapor emphasized that Ghana has gone more than 10 months without load shedding and is not facing any power generation deficit. He acknowledged, however, that parts of Accra and Kumasi have experienced frequent power outages.

“These outages are due to operational challenges within the system and not because of insufficient power generation,” he explained.

The Minister directed relevant agencies to urgently present a clear, time-bound plan to resolve the issues and restore stable electricity supply in the affected areas.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing reliable and uninterrupted power for all Ghanaians, assuring the public that measures are being taken to address the challenges as quickly as possible.

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In a joint statement on Wednesday, January 21, the two utilities said the measure aims to regulate electricity demand while engineers work to repair the damaged equipment and return both transformers to full operation.

VRA and NEDCo noted that the interruption has made it necessary to ration power in the area until the system is stabilised.

The affected communities have been grouped into three zones:

Group One: Nana Bosoma Market, Newtown, Estate, Baakoniaba, Asufufu, Wawasua, Nanketwa, Municipal, Town Centre, Zinco, Airport, parts of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), St. Mary’s, and nearby communities.

Group Two: Abesim Estate, Tanoso, Yamfo, Susuanso, GWCL, Abesim, Mayfair, Nkwabeng North, Odumase, Pastoral Penkwase, Syn NMTC, and adjoining areas.

Group Three: Nimpong, STU, GETFund, Magazine, SUSEC, Dr. Berko, St. James, Glamossay, Nkrankrom, Fiapre, Dumasua, Mantukwa, Ayakomaso, Nsoatre, and surrounding towns.

Meanwhile, VRA and NEDCo apologised to customers for the disruption and assured residents that engineers are working to resolve the fault and restore stable electricity supply as quickly as possible.

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Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, the Director of Communications at ECG, William Boateng, explained that recent power outages across parts of the country were due to multiple factors, including storm-related damage and system malfunctions triggered by strong winds.

He noted that ECG is often unaware of outages in specific communities unless they affect a large area or are reported by residents.

“We are not usually aware when the lights go out in a specific area unless it affects a large neighborhood, in which case we receive a call. Rainstorms can sometimes damage wires and cause outages. The strong winds we are currently experiencing are another reason for these issues. When the strong winds occur, the system identifies areas with malfunctions and automatically turns off the lights there,” Mr. Boateng said.

To address these challenges, Mr. Boateng revealed that ECG is engaging third-party contractors to install smaller transformers in overloaded areas.

However, he said securing land for these transformers remains a challenge, as residents are often unwilling to release space.

“We are working hard to stabilize power. Investments have been made, and some areas need rehabilitation. Expect new transformers in high-load areas soon,” he said.

He added that ECG has submitted its budget to the Minister of Energy to support ongoing efforts to enhance power distribution nationwide.

“We are currently engaging third-party contractors to help us install small transformers in various areas. However, determining the best locations for these transformers has proven challenging because property owners are often unwilling to allow transformers on their land. We expect to install new transformers in high-load areas soon.

“We are also working to stabilize the lighting we currently have, as some of it needs rehabilitation. Additionally, we have presented our budget to the Minister in hopes of doubling our efforts,” he stated.

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Recently, the ECG put out several notices of outages in parts of the country but has attributed the power cuts to routine maintenance.

According to John Jinapor, the Minority’s Spokesperson on Energy, the outages are due to poor management of the energy sector.

He added that, the load shedding is being concealed from the public by the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo).

“As we speak today, there is load shedding ongoing. GRIDCo has been cautioned not to inform the customers. Yesterday, there was a deficit of more than 500 megawatts. Today, they are going to shed load and customers in Ghana would be affected,” he claimed.

He further pointed out financial challenges, including Tullow Ghana’s unpaid dues for gas supply over the last nine months, adding that Tullow Ghana is threatening to curtail gas supply.

Again, he noted that the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are threatening to halt supply due to $1.2 billion in unpaid debts.

Mr Jinapor expressed concern over the state of the energy sector, calling it “sad” and accusing the government of mismanaging the situation.

“With the PURC declaring ECG bankrupt, it is obvious that the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government is intending to hand over a broken dilapidated aging energy sector to the Mahama,” he said.

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For months, numerous regions across the country have been facing intermittent power outages, impacting both businesses and households significantly.

In response to questions on the floor of Parliament, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh outlined several reasons behind the erratic power supply.

“The question was asked over two months ago…No, ECG is not undertaking load-shedding as at the time the question was asked. Consumers were experiencing outages due to a number of factors. That included localised outages due to overload online and transformers.

“There are certain areas in this country where all of a sudden, the number of residents and businesses have accumulated, parts of East Legon which was purely residential area have now become a business district, increasing power consumption.

“Thereby hampering the existing lines there, so the transformers and lines had to be updated. Outages to the average capacity of overloaded lines and transformers.

“At the time the questionnaire put the question, CenPower had an emergency which meant a complete shutdown, losing immediately 40 megawatts. That also contributed and the plant maintenance on Amandi power was also ongoing at the same time.

“The emergency outages sometimes requested by GRIDCo have also contributed, so there were myriads of factors that had unfortunately happened, that is causing the power outages in different times. The reason ECG said they were not load-shedding is because most of the incidents were not planned and so they couldn’t have come out with a pre-programme to say they were loading” the Energy Minister explained.

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Managing Director, Samuel Dubik Mahama, has urged calm among Ghanaians, assuring they are working effortlessly to keep the lights on.

He told journalists following a meeting with the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament on Saturday.

ECG had earlier blamed the recent power outages on some 630 of its overloaded transformers in several communities due to high demand.

However, the ECG MD has assured the issues have been addressed and Ghanaians will soon be given the full details on the way forward.

“The assurance is that we are doing our best. The lights are going to stay on. Most of the transformers that we spoke about and the intensification exercises are almost done, so we should just stay positive.

There will be a proper statement as to the way forward. We are currently not shedding load. So we are not shedding load,” he said.

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The caucus is also demanding an audit to determine the capacity and reliability of alternate power supply systems in hospitals.

This follows reports of power outage on Tuesday evening at the Tema General Hospital which allegedly led to the death of a three-day-old baby.

A statement signed by the Ranking member of the Health Committee and Juaboso MP, Kwabena Mintah-Akando described the situation as worry.

“The Ministry of Energy, in collaboration with relevant agencies, must, without delay, exempt all health facilities nationwide from the current unannounced and unscheduled electricity load shedding and power outages,” it said in parts.

He expressed concerns that the situation if not resolved may lead to more deaths in the health facilities, emphasising the need for a load shedding timetable for all Ghanaians.

“Amid these happenings, the government has refused to heed wise counsel from suffering Ghanaians and businesses to publish a load shedding timetable to enable them to plan their lives. This situation has obviously begun to take a toll on critical healthcare facilities across the country.

“We therefore demand swift action from relevant authorities to address these critical issues and safeguard the delivery of vital health services to Ghanaians,” it added

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Below is the full statement:

The Ellembelle MP has bemoaned the absence of a load-shedding timetable is hampering households and businesses from planning accordingly.

Parts of the country for the past days have experienced power outages, leading to frustration and anger among some Ghanaians.

Several Ghanaians have expressed their displeasure, citing the lack of prior communication and explanation for the widespread outage.

But the former Power Minister has stressed the lack of transparency and communication regarding the power outage schedule only adds to the frustration and inconvenience experienced by the affected population.

In press statement on Twitter, he stated that the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) is currently facing challenges in meeting its payment obligations to the West African Gas Pipeline.

This pipeline plays a crucial role in transporting gas from Takoradi to Tema for power generation.

Mr Buah noted the GNPC’s inability to fulfill its financial commitments to the West African Gas Pipeline is a primary factor contributing to the widespread power outages experienced in various parts of the country.

“It is worth highlighting that even during the worst periods of dumsor in the past, the power outage never reached the 500 megawatts threshold currently being shed yet the media associated with the NPP interestingly see this as no ‘dumsor.'”

“Their loud silence on the current situation is deafening,” the release read in parts.

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Read the full statement below:

Ghana is currently grappling with a severe case of Load Shedding, commonly known as Dumsor.
The situation is evidently clear, with 500 MW of load being shed as of tonight, January 9th, 2024.

Numerous areas have been plunged into darkness due to the unavailability of gas to… pic.twitter.com/UPsGEtQ5jA

— Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (@ArmahKofiBuah) January 10, 2024

This, according to the outfit, comes on the back of a communication mast which on Tuesday, November 9 collapsed and fell on the 330KV Aboadze-Kumasi transmission lines.

The incident, which occurred near Bogoso in the Western Region, led to the collapse of two towers.

GRIDCo, in a statement, said the incident affected the power systems and may lead to a load shedding.

However, the outfit has announced it is working around the clock to replace the fallen towers.

Read the full statement below:

The power distributor is embarking on a plan maintenance work that will be carried out by the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo).

The Managing Director of ECG, Kwame Agyemang- Budu, speaking at a press conference in Accra, assured the public of enough power to stabilise its network during the maintenance work.

According to him, ECG is preparing for the last phase of upgraded works which requires engagement with stakeholders and regulators to agree on a final date to commence work.

He further said that ECG has just started with the process of discussing with GRIDCo to know the impact of the works on power supply and would consequently look at the impact on customers to devise means to mitigate any challenge, adding, “they are yet to come out with the final timetable and date of commencement.

“We have just started the work.  So far I can say it has not interrupted power supply in the city because of the alternative measures put in place.”

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“The ECG and GRIDCo are yet to meet and finalise the timeline on these projects and the public should be assured that power supply will be adequate to avoid any load-shedding,” he explained.

The MD added that ECG may not undertake any load-shedding during the final phase of GRIDCo project, since it plans to transfer load to the Kasoa Bulk Supply Plant.