The Institute for Energy Security (IES) has sounded an urgent alarm about an impending power crisis in Ghana, commonly referred to as “dumsor,” as the nation grapples with critical fuel shortages and systemic inefficiencies in its power sector.
Nana Amoasi VII, Executive Director of the IES, urged the newly inaugurated Mahama administration to take immediate action to stabilize the country’s electricity supply and avert prolonged outages that could cripple economic activities.
“This is not something unexpected. As observers of the energy space, we have long recognized that the power sector is fragile due to systemic inefficiencies, including poor planning.”
Nana Amoasi VII, Executive Director of the IES
The warning follows comments from John Abdulai Jinapor, Member of Parliament for Yapei Kusawgu, who emphasized the severity of the situation.
Jinapor disclosed that Ghana’s fuel stock for power generation is critically low, with only five hours of supply remaining, leaving the country on the brink of widespread power outages.
One of the primary issues facing Ghana’s power sector is its heavy reliance on natural gas for electricity generation.
While most of the country’s power plants have dual-fuel capabilities and can operate on liquid fuels such as Light Crude Oil (LCO), the absence of adequate backup fuel stocks has left the sector exposed.
“Today, we are more reliant on natural gas, but thank God almost all the plants we have in Ghana, excluding the hydro and solar ones, can run on liquid fuel as well.
“But we knew that we don’t have any backup or any stock of liquid fuel in adequate form, so we knew that at a certain point in time we could be exposed.”
Nana Amoasi VII, Executive Director of the IES
This lack of preparation has significantly increased the country’s vulnerability, particularly during the ongoing transition between administrations.
The government transition process has compounded the challenges facing the energy sector. Nana Amoasi VII criticized the lack of procurement and lifting arrangements for liquid fuels during this period, which could have ensured a seamless power supply.
“Unfortunately, we were expecting that as part of the transition arrangement, some form of procurement or lifting would have been made to ensure that there is no gap left within the space.
“But our checks indicate that we don’t have enough liquid fuel to give us that reliance and assurance that we won’t have any shock in power supply.”
Nana Amoasi VII, Executive Director of the IES
This gap in preparation has left the new Mahama administration with the daunting task of addressing the power crisis while managing public expectations and avoiding economic fallout.
Call to Action for the Mahama Administration
In light of the crisis, the IES has called on the Mahama administration to act swiftly and decisively to address the challenges in the power sector.
Nana Amoasi VII emphasized the need for immediate measures to secure fuel supplies and stabilize the electricity grid.
“We appeal to the men in charge today to get back to work and start work as soon as possible. Otherwise, we are largely exposed,” he warned.
The new administration has been urged to prioritize the procurement of liquid fuels, strengthen contingency plans for future crises, and implement reforms to address the systemic inefficiencies that have plagued the energy sector for years.
“The government must immediately secure adequate stocks of LCO and Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) to ensure that power plants can operate seamlessly if natural gas supplies are disrupted.
“Engaging with international suppliers and stakeholders could help fast-track fuel procurement and provide temporary relief.”
Nana Amoasi VII, Executive Director of the IES
In the long term, the government must focus on diversifying Ghana’s energy mix by investing in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and biomass.
Additionally, addressing regulatory and financial bottlenecks in the power sector can attract private sector investment and enhance operational efficiency.
The impending power crisis underscores the urgent need for reform in Ghana’s energy sector. While the Mahama administration has inherited a challenging situation, it also has an opportunity to implement bold and transformative changes that can prevent future crises and ensure a stable power supply for all Ghanaians.
The coming weeks will be a critical test of leadership, with the government’s ability to navigate the crisis likely to shape public confidence in its broader governance agenda.
As the nation braces for potential disruptions, stakeholders across the political and economic spectrum are watching closely, hoping for swift and effective action to avert the worst outcomes of dumsor.
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