Bright Simons, Honorary Vice President of IMANI Africa, has expressed his disappointment and concern over the manner in which critical information about Ghana’s fuel supply for power plants was disclosed.

He noted that it was quite surprising and troubling that such a significant claim—that the country only had enough fuel for less than a week—was made casually during an unplanned interview by a member of the NDC government transition team.

Simons emphasized that crucial information of this nature should be communicated in a more structured and formal manner.

He pointed out that when vital details are delivered in random, off-the-cuff remarks, it tends to create confusion rather than clarity, leaving both analysts and the public more uncertain and misinformed about the true state of affairs.

“Problems in Ghana don’t get fixed because the structural policy issues are constantly ignored. Either PR dazzles the public, or tabloid sensationalism distracts them.
“The real policy issues here are as follows: The liquid fuels are an emergency substitute for gas, which is supposed to be the main fuel for thermal power plants in Ghana. Where is the country with fixing the gas supply issues? Why have the problems been prolonged? What solutions are favored by the new government”.
Bright Simons

Simons further highlighted the pressing need for clarity regarding the security of supply arrangements for emergency liquid fuels.

He questioned whether there are formal contracts in place to ensure a steady and reliable supply of these critical resources.

Additionally, he inquired about the specific entities involved in these agreements and whether any measures, such as penalties for non-performance, have been established to safeguard the nation’s interests.

Simons stressed that understanding these arrangements is crucial for assessing the country’s preparedness to handle potential energy crises.

He underscored the importance of having robust contractual safeguards to prevent supply disruptions and protect the economy from the adverse effects of fuel shortages.

Without clear and enforceable agreements, the nation could face significant risks, further exacerbating the challenges in the energy sector.

Simons Questions Harry Campbell’s Role in Fuel Supply System

Furthermore, Bright Simons raised concerns about reports suggesting that Harry Campbell of Stratcon was allegedly “imposed” on the emergency fuel supply system.

He pointed out that, according to these reports, this appointment was made without a competitive tendering process or any merit-based evaluation, leading to the involvement of suppliers with questionable standing in the industry.

Simons questioned the validity and context of these claims, calling for a comprehensive explanation of the circumstances surrounding this situation.

“I recall that when Harry Campbell tried to break into Liberia, analysts there quickly established that he was exaggerating his standing in Ghana. The question is: how did he come into the equation in the first place?
“MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, what are the steps the new govt plans to take to fix the gas supply issues and, whilst doing that, ensure that the emergency liquid-fuel supply program isn’t “captured” by any individual or politically connected supplier, thus ensuring reliability?”
Bright Simons

Accordingly, Simons emphasized that for political communication to improve in Ghana and for the focus to shift back to meaningful policy discussions, there needs to be a significant change in public attitudes and expectations.

He urged the public to adopt a more critical and discerning approach, demanding greater transparency and accountability from political leaders.

According to Simons, citizens should cultivate a deeper curiosity about the root causes of issues rather than accepting superficial explanations or sensational headlines.

He called for resistance to political spin, public relations tactics, and surface-level gossip, which often distract from substantive policy matters.

By becoming more informed and demanding, the public can play a crucial role in driving better governance and fostering a more focused and issue-driven political environment.