The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer for the 2024 general election, former President John Dramani Mahama has condemned what he describes as the current government mishandling of funds designated for private sector participation in electricity distribution under the US Millennium Compact.

The former President reacting to the decision by United States Government to cancel the transfer of $190 million to the Ghana due to alleged corruption leading to the termination of the PDS contract pledged resolute action to rectify the situation and restore accountability in Ghana’s power sector.

Mr Mahama further posited that the situation is as a result of the mismanagement and corruption that exist under the New Patriotic Party administration led by President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

“Dear fellow Ghanaians, It’s disheartening to learn that the $190 million we negotiated for private sector participation in electricity distribution under the US Millennium Compact has been lost due to Nana Addo and Bawumia’s corrupt, ‘yenkyendi’, and cronyistic governance practices”.
Former President John Dramani Mahama, NDC’s Flagbearer

He emphasized that the perceived corruption and mismanagement under the current administration have led to the squandering of vital funds intended to improve the country’s electricity distribution system.

The perceived disregard for the interests of the Ghanaian people in the view of former President John Dramani Mahama is unacceptable, and thus require an urgent and stringent actions from the current administration to address it.

Mahama’s Vision for an Efficient Power Sector

Commenting on his vision and plans for the country when elected into power, the National Democratic Congress flagbearer and leader underscored his commitment to enhance private sector efficiency in electricity distribution.

Emphasizing the critical areas of metering, revenue management, and fault response, Mr Mahama outlined his administration’s vision to foster an environment conducive to sustainable growth and development in Ghana’s energy sector.

He posited that the National Democratic Congress when elected into power will prioritize accountability and transparency in every facet of governance to restore public confidence in the country’s democratic system.

Mr Mahama also underscored his commitment to investigate the event that led to the PDS scandal, stressing that those responsible for the blatant breach of trust and the country’s laws leading to the PDS scandal will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

He promised to carry out a swift and decisive action against government officials implicated in the PDS scandal, therefore assuring Ghanaian populace of his unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the interests of the country.

The National Democratic Congress flagbearer for the 2024 general elections concluded his remarks by urging all Ghanaians including the civil society organizations, the academia, the media and all stakeholders to join the country’s fight against corruption and cronyism.

He underscored the important of all stakeholder’s involvement in the fight against corruption, thereby stating that collective efforts can forge a brighter future for Ghana, one where the power sector could serve as a catalyst for economic prosperity and social advancement.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation, an agency created by the United State Government that forms partnerships with developing countries who are committed to good governance, economic freedom and investing in their citizens earlier confirmed that despite Ghana’s prevailing power crisis, it has no further intention to work again in Ghana.

In view of the above, the Millennium Challenge Corporation further disclosed that it has completely closed Ghana’s Millennium Challenge Compact.

In March 2019, Ghana was on the verge of receiving crucial funding of some $190 million aimed at the long-term sustainability of related infrastructure investments and financial recovery of the energy sector as part of a second tranche of the MCC power compact.

However, owing to a botched 20-year concession agreement with Ghana’s Power Distribution Services (PDS), where PDS was to assume the operation and management of the staff and assets of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the US government halted the transfer of the funds, stating that private sector participation was a central reform under MCC’s Ghana Power Compact.