The General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, has called on the government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to acknowledge the crisis in Ghana’s energy sector due to escalating power woes and to heed the voice of the Ghanaian people.
Fifi Fiavi Kwetey stated that the stark absence of humility within the NPP government is now overshadowed by its escalating arrogance.
“How is it conceivable for a party, which took over an efficiently capacitated energy sector of nearly 4000 MW from John Mahama, to preside over the troubling return of ‘Dumsor’? The resurgence of such a crisis speaks volumes, pointing directly to mismanagement and lackluster leadership.”
Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, NDC’s General Secretary
He noted that despite the glaring reality of ongoing power outages, the government’s response raises serious concerns. “Why is there a refusal to admit the regression since John Mahama’s tenure ended?” he questioned.
He underlined that it is disturbing that the NPP appears unaware of the severe disruptions to Ghanaians’ everyday lives, which is suggestive of a strong denial of the present power crisis.
“Under the NPP’s watch, the nation questions: Where has the respect for the intelligence and perseverance of our people gone? When the government claims there is no ‘Dumsor’ while industries falter, schools struggle, and homes are plunged into darkness, do they not insult the collective wisdom of our nation? How can they justify their management when, despite the ESLA fund’s intent to amass over GH₵20 billion in 5 years, and do away with the legacy debt, they opted for securitization that capped it at GH₵10 billion, leaving debts unresolved and the sector staggering?”
Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, NDC’s General Secretary
He again noted that currently, the ECG denies the existence of ‘Dumsor’ and refuses to issue a load-shedding schedule, despite their significant debts to IPPs and the consequent underproduction in power plants. “Remarkably, we find ourselves shedding nearly 500MW during peak periods,” he highlighted.
“How can the government maintain such a level of deceit toward its citizens? For instance, in January, the claim was a payment of $43 million to private power producers, yet the actual disbursement fell short, totaling less than $9.5 million. How can this not be seen as a stark departure from honesty and accountability to the Ghanaian people?”
Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, NDC’s General Secretary
Hon. Fifi Fiavi Kwetey indicated that the failure of the government to invest, innovate, or even maintain the strides made by their predecessors not only jeopardizes our energy sector but reflects a broader disregard for Ghana’s future.
Additionally, he stated that Ghanaians are calling on the NPP to accept responsibility for the electricity situation and pledge to be open and transparent at this crucial juncture.
“Energy stability is essential for our prosperity, and Ghanaians merit a leadership that is truthful, respectful, and effective. It’s time for the NPP to embrace responsibility and uphold the integrity expected in governance.”
Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, NDC’s General Secretary
This call comes amidst escalating power woes, highlighting the urgency of addressing the situation. Kwetey’s statement underscores the NDC’s stance that the NPP government has contributed to economic hardships in 2023, which have further exacerbated the energy sector crisis.
The NDC sees the upcoming 2024 election as an opportunity for Ghanaians to shape a brighter future, suggesting a need for change in the current government’s approach to managing the country’s energy sector and overall economic policies.
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