UPDATES GBC/NCCE Debate: Presidential Candidate Propose Solutions to Energy Crisis

The need for sustainable energy for industry and domestic use has been an issue of great concerns to Ghanaians over some decades now following erratic power supply that has bedevilled the nation since the 1980’s especially in the recent past, with the terminology ‘dumsor’ becoming a household name. 

So, when the candidates seeking the mandate of Ghanaians to become their president mounted the podium for the GBC/ NCCE Presidential at the State House, energy was one of the issues that took centre stage. 

President Mahama, who observed that the allotted time of two minutes to debate the issue was too short, said it was a complicated area. 

He said government had taken many measures to address the energy crisis the nation experienced and had also put in place directives to defray the debts state institutions owed the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). “Government facilities would have prepaid meters installed to stall incidents of debt owed to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).” 

According to President Mahama, this directive would compel officials of the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to monitor their use of energy and pay for it. 

“Government as at August 2016 owed Ghana's power distributor an amount of GH¢950 as a result of subsidies and non-payment of electricity bills,” he disclosed. 

He, however, said the decision would not affect emergency government facilities such as hospitals.

"The electricity component is contained in their ministries, - goods and services -sub-budget and often they use the money for something else.”

“Government as at August 2016 owed Ghana's power distributor an amount of GH¢950 as a result of subsidies and non-payment of electricity bills...The difficulty in the payment of the energy consumed by the MDAs, schools, and hospitals has crippled the operational capacity of ECG...The outstanding debt owed the company has been blamed for the under-investment in energy distribution facilities in the country..The investment in the sector has been estimated to be around 25 per cent which has aggravated the challenges facing power generation....Unable to bear with the inefficiency of ECG, government through the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) wants to privatise the company, an issue that has generated debate in the country.” President Mahama said.

Adding that “the Public Utility Workers Union (PUWU) has accused government of not prioritising the welfare of Ghanaians in its privatisation deal with the United States government. It has argued the money owed ECG by government represents between 60 percent to 70 percent of all the company's debts.

ECG has said it needs $200 million every year to sustain its investment and meet the annual power demand of the country. It said it would meet the demands of consumers if government pays its debts.”

However, the President said a careful study of the debt situation would reveal that the ECG rather owes government.

"If we struck a balance with the utilities it must be that government does not owe them because government guarantee loans," he said, adding utility companies received GH¢36 million every quarter from government.”

He said his government committed to permanently address the power challenges facing the country by heavily investing in the sector.

President Mahama cited investments in solar energy and thermal plants to compliment the Akosombo Dam currently operating below capacity as testament of his commitment.

Ivor Greenstreet of the Convention People’s Party, (CPP) for his part, said, if elected, he would make use of renewable energy as a means of addressing the energy issues of the nation. 

He mentioned wind-powered energy generation as one of the sources, stating that 9,900 turbines each generating 3 megawatts of electricity, would be installed along the coastal areas to give Ghana the needed power to deal with dumsor. 

He also hinted of moves to repeal the Petroleum Law if elected since it is not useful. 

Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive People’s Party, (PPP) said the energy crisis has not been cleared and that accounts for the situation where Ghanaians are paying 50% more for electricity due to the mode of generation. 

He refuted a claim by Ivor Greenstreet that under his tenure as Energy Minister, the crisis worsened, claiming that his tenure brought about most of the generating plants the nation is currently making use of. 

Dr. Edward Mahama of the People’s National Convention’s (PNC) is proposing an energy mix as a solution to the perennial energy crisis where all forms of energy-generating methods would be used. 

He said his government, if elected, would negotiate with Burkina Faso to allow the waters of the Bagre Dam to flow into the Akosombo Dam on a negotiated term where Ghana would supply the West African neighbours with energy. 

The Independent Candidate, Jacob Osei Yeboah (JOY) was emphatic solar energy is the best solution to Ghana’s problems. He believes solar energy would be able to address the energy needs of Ghana’s industries.

The event which is supported by Star Ghana and its partners, was moderated by Mr. Dan Afari Yeboah of “What Do You Know Fame” and Mrs. Selikem Acolatse Apaloo of GBC.


Monitored by GBC's Ruth Abla Adjorlolo.

GBC