Accra: Former Member of Parliament for Dormaa East, Paul Apreku Twum Barimah, has urged the government to swiftly implement a clear and comprehensive energy management plan to address Ghana's worsening power situation. This call to action follows a reported loss of approximately 1,000 megawatts in generation capacity.
According to Ghana Web, Twum Barimah made his appeal after a fire outbreak at a substation operated by the Ghana Grid Company Limited in Akosombo severely impacted the national power supply. The incident has led to a decrease in installed capacity from an estimated 5,200 megawatts to around 4,200 megawatts, based on energy sector assessments in public discussions.
In a statement on April 26, 2027, Twum Barimah expressed concern about the deepening power supply challenges, which could plunge the country back into prolonged electricity interruptions, commonly known as 'dumsor.' He criticized the government's response, particularly Energy Minister John Abdulai Jinapor's decision to form a committee to tackle the issue, as unnecessary and ineffective in providing an immediate solution.
Twum Barimah argued that forming committees would only delay urgent action and increase costs to the state without directly addressing the crisis. Instead, he emphasized the need for the immediate deployment of modern, high-capacity generators and essential equipment to aid restoration efforts at the damaged Akosombo substation and stabilize the national grid.
He further urged the government to prioritize rapid repair work at the affected facility, treating the situation as an emergency requiring immediate and decisive action to restore full operational capacity. Twum Barimah also called on President John Dramani Mahama and the energy minister to clearly communicate the specific measures being implemented to manage the shortfall in generation capacity and prevent a prolonged power crisis.
As a key proposal, he suggested introducing a transparent load management timetable to guide electricity distribution during the period of reduced generation. This measure, he explained, would ensure fairness in supply allocation, reduce consumer uncertainty, and help businesses plan their operations more effectively.
Twum Barimah noted that in recent weeks, many parts of the country have experienced persistent and unannounced power outages, disrupting household activities and commercial operations. He added that the challenge has been exacerbated by recent increases in electricity tariffs, heightening public concerns over the affordability and reliability of power supply.
Emphasizing the necessity for a structured and transparent approach to power distribution, Twum Barimah highlighted the need to safeguard economic activity and social stability. He pointed out that despite significant growth in Ghana's installed generation capacity over the years, structural inefficiencies and infrastructure limitations have prevented optimal system operation, rendering it vulnerable to shocks like the recent incident.
With experience in Ghana's energy sector and multinational upstream oil and gas companies, the former legislator stressed that the current situation demands urgent leadership, clear communication, and practical interventions. He concluded that restoring public confidence in the energy sector depends on the government's swift and transparent response to the current challenges, warning that prolonged uncertainty could further strain businesses and households across the country.