Workers of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have cautioned the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah to settle outstanding electricity bills accrued at his private residences or face disconnection from the national grid.
The warning comes in the wake of a series of protests initiated by the ECG workers, following the Minister’s order for the arrest of one of their managers.
The Minister’s actions have sparked outrage among the ECG workers, particularly after he recently ordered the arrest of the company’s Ashanti East Manager, Mark Wiafe Asomani. This order was given after the ECG’s National Revenue Mobilization Taskforce disconnected power to the Kumasi Technical University due to unpaid bills.
In response to the Minister’s actions, the Workers’ Union of the ECG issued a statement demanding an apology. However, the Minister has yet to issue an apology, despite the ultimatum given by the Union having elapsed on Tuesday.
As part of their protest, ECG workers have started wearing red bands at their offices nationwide. Despite this, they have ensured that customer service remains unaffected.
The Union leadership has expressed their determination to intensify the protest if the Minister does not take appropriate action. They maintain that the Minister’s actions are unacceptable and that he must be held accountable for his actions.
A worker told Citi News on Wednesday “If the regional minister owes any bill in his private house we are going there. This week we will get to his house if he owes a pesewa, we will disconnect him then the police must come and arrest all of us.
“If he arrests any regional boss all of us will be at the prison yard. So, they should expand the prison yard all of us are coming. We are expecting him to apologise…We know all his houses …We are going there…He should prepare to pay his money, or we will disconnect him.”
Another worker said “The action of the minister is more of a security concern than our General Manager’s meeting at the REGSEC. The reason is that the actions can lead to other customers emulating what he did and we think that he should just apologise unreservedly to ECG then we move on. We have a series of actions to take. This is the first step That is why we said that if he is not apologizing someone should tell him to do so.”
Head of Linguistics at the University of Ghana, Professor Kofi Agyekum has cautioned the governing New Patriotic Party(NPP) against the impact of the current electricity crisis on their performance in the December 7 elections.
Professor Kofi Agyekum, popularly called “Opanyin Agyekum”, registered his displeasure with the Electricity Company of Ghana’s delay in drawing a timetable for Ghanaians.
To him, the call for a timetable is genuine as it will help Ghanaians to plan their activities unlike they being unable to predict the situation.
Opanyin Agyekum also expressed worry over the government’s refusal to be transparent with Ghanaians regarding the cause of the power cuts and when the nation should expect an end to the problem.
Professor Kofi Agyekum
To him, how the government is treating Ghanaians may affect their “breaking the eight” agenda.
“Your breaking the eight will be difficult if this problem lingers on”, he said, advising “it’s not shameful to tell us that you promised us no dumsor but at it stands now, we are in dumsor . . . so, the government should wake up if it’s sleeping and resolve this issue immediately for us because this is extremely disturbing”.
He made this comment during Peace FM’s morning show “Kokrokoo”.
Prophet Kofi Oduro of Alabaster International Ministry has issued a stern critique of the government over the rolling power outages known as dumsor.
Ghanaians in most parts of the country are currently complaining about dumsor, especially with the continued refusal of the government to admit that the current challenge is a case of load-shedding.
Most persons are also angered by the Electricity Company of Ghana’s refusal to provide a load-shedding timetable amid the outages.
Prophet Kofi Oduro during a sermon over the weekend posited that the current situation was a sign of flawed leadership and financial mismanagement.
Prophet Kofi Oduro
“Today, I slept outside, in my house, on three chairs combined. You can’t sleep, because you are living in a nation that has no leadership; we voted for them, we’ve given them free food, free water, free fuel, free electricity, free everything, we have given them a salary and have asked them to fix our issues.
“Ghana, you are crippled, you are blind, your leaders are blind and dumb dogs who cannot speak and cannot perform. You are 67 and you are struggling with common electricity.
“Electricity is a common amenity, what is happening is not a lack of supply, it is a money issue and if it is a money issue, it is mismanagement. This electricity issue is revealing how flawed our leadership is. Flawed leadership, I don’t care about your parties or who is in office,” he stressed.
“Hope must be restored, we are praying for you and speaking positively that things will get well, when lights go off and we are in the heat, your generator starts automatically, what kind of nonsense is this?” he asked.Source: ghanaweb.com
A former Power Minister and NDC MP for Pru East, Dr Kwabena Donkor has stated that the relocation of the Ameri power plant does not contribute to increased power generation but has other strategic purposes.
According to him, the relocation of the Ameri plant plays a vital role in stabilizing the grid and enables GRIDCo to reduce its losses during transmission.
Speaking on News File on April 20, he stated that in 2014, the National Democratic Congress government planned to situate power generation in the middle belt of the country but fuel was a major challenge.
Dr Kwabena Donkor
“A gas pipeline had gotten to Prestea but there wasn’t a gas pipeline to Kumasi and therefore a physical relocation at that time would not have made sense without fuel. Fortunately, unfortunately, the people of Ghana decided that we should leave the scene so there was a truncation of the process. Other than that, generation in the middle corridor would have happened earlier,” he said.
The former minister stated that there is an advantage in having generation in the middle corridor.
Dr Donkor stated that the power transmission company, GRIDCo is indebted to the Volta River Authority (VRA) due to transmission losses exceeding the limits approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).
According to him, when generation is moved closer to a market, the amount of transmission losses are limited.
“It also helps stabilize the grid. You see, there is a certain balance that the grid must have. If there is a situation where until now we have the Eastern and Western corridors in terms of generation and even then there is a delicate balance, you cannot over-generate from one corridor with nothing coming from the other. The grid will trip.”
“The initial inter-connected transmission system, there is a certain balance needed. So having generation in the central corridor will help that,” he said.
The NDC has largely raised concerns about the amount spent in relocating the plant, as well as the renaming of the plant despite the NPP’s initial opposition its acquisition while in opposition.
A former National Organiser aspirant of the NDC, Henry Osei Akoto has criticised the Akufo-Addo government over the consistent, unannounced power outages in the country, saying the unpredictable power cuts, known in local parlance as ‘Dumsor’, is affecting businesses in the country.
Henry Osei-Akoto
Akoto, one of the leading members of the NDC made the comment when he joined some residents of Kumasi in the Ashanti Regional capital who were protesting the incessant power cuts in the city.
The vigil which took place Wednesday night, April 17 saw scores of traders and some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who were seen with placards with various inscriptions registering their displeasure at the development. Other protesters with red arm bands were also seen with lit candles along the principal streets within the central business district.
Speaking to journalists, Henry Osei Akoto bemoaned the government’s failure to direct the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to publish a load shedding to help Ghanaians plan their activities.
“All we are asking Nana Akufo-Addo is to give us power, thats all. Apart from that there is nothing he can do for us. He should give us power so we can go back to our businesses…What we are telling Nana Akufo-Addo, the ECG, GRIDCo and all the independent power producers is that we need power. Businesses are collapsing. We need power,” he fumed.
Few weeks ago, Osei Akoto who visited Kumasi was seen in a viral video pointing to generator sets that had been put on to power some shops in Adum, in the central business district of the Ashanti Regional capital.
He was heard in Akan saying that the generator sets were in competition, stressing that there was an unannounced, persistent power outage in the city which was affecting businesses.
During the protest, he emphasised that the businesses were slowly collapsing since the cost of fuel was high and business owners could not afford to spend much to power their generators.
Some of the protestors seen marching and chanting songs to register their displeasure
On his part, Asare Bediako, an actor and film producer, who had also joined the protest, questioned why there is a lack of power supply despite having enough resources for electricity generation.
He urged President Akufo-Addo and his government to take immediate action to end the power crisis and ensure that Ghanaians have access to reliable electricity.
“What we want to say is that now we have enough power, we have enough resources that we need to generate light, so why is the light not coming? What we want to tell our Akufo-Addo and Bawumia government and the NPP government is that we are tired, Ghanaians we are not angry enough and we want to demonstrate on this vigil to tell Nana Akufo-Addo and Bawumia government that that dumsor must stop and cease now.”
The convener of the vigil, Jerry James Sukah, also emphasized the need for a load-shedding timetable to provide transparency and clarity to citizens regarding power outages. He also demanded a load shedding timetable for the people to be able to adequately plan their lives.
Nana Otwasuom Osae Nyampong VI, the Board Chairman of Genser Energy, has disclosed that illegal miners are digging beneath the newly laid gas pipelines in the Ashanti region in search of gold.
Speaking with Citi News, he emphasized the urgent need for action, urging Chiefs who oversee these lands to educate their communities on the dangers of such activities.
He warned that not only do these actions endanger the lives of the miners themselves, but they also pose a significant threat to the integrity of the entire gas pipeline project.
Nana Otwasuom Osae Nyampong VI explained that the miners’ digging operations, coupled with the presence of flammable gas, create a potentially explosive situation. He urged residents not to risk their lives in pursuit of uncertain wealth, emphasizing the need to prioritize safety above all else.
“Those on the right of way have begun prospecting for minerals along our gas pipelines, simply put galamseyers have begun digging under our pipeline to see if they can strike its reach overnight, it is a very dangerous enterprise because when you are digging, you are using some force and a little sparkle of fire may touch the gas and you will lose your life with the explosion that will happen.
“We will appeal to the Chiefs who own these lands on the right of way to educate their citizenry that there is no gainsaying that you are going to look for gold and you may not come back home. You shouldn’t exchange your life for wealth which you may not even get.”
Meanwhile, Genser Energy, a Ghanaian-owned independent power producer, has extended heartfelt appreciation to all stakeholders involved in the successful construction of a 110-kilometre natural gas pipeline.
This critical infrastructure will power the 250-megawatt Kumasi 1 Thermal Power Plant (K1TPP) and future plants (500MW AKSA, 330MW CENIT), marking a significant advancement in the country’s power sector.
The gas transmission infrastructure, spanning from Prestea to Anwomaso, stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts between the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and Genser Energy
Ghana Limited.
Constructed with 12,000 steel pipes imported from the US, the Anwomaso Gas Pipeline, spearheaded by Genser Energy, aims to supply the plant with natural gas sourced from the Western Region.
Divided into three phases, the 420km network stretches across key regions, promising to enhance Ghana’s power sector and provide affordable energy to support regional industries
President Nana Akufo-Addo has acknowledged the recent power outages, commonly referred to as “Dumsor,” experienced across various parts of Ghana.
He expressed his government’s commitment to addressing this issue promptly, recognizing the inconvenience it poses to the Ghanaian people.
Speaking on Wednesday, April 17, during the commissioning of the first phase of the Anwomaso 1 Thermal Power Plant in Kumasi, President Akufo-Addo addressed the power challenges directly, marking his first public statement on the matter since its onset.
President Akufo-Addo
The President empathised with the citizens affected by the power outages and commended their patience during this challenging period.
He assured the nation that his government is actively working to restore a stable power supply across the country.
President Akufo-Addo emphasised that while the situation is regrettable, it is not insurmountable, and his administration is implementing measures to mitigate the impact of the power outages.
He thus reiterated his government’s commitment to ensuring the welfare and comfort of all Ghanaians.
“I do acknowledge, Minister for Energy, ladies and gentlemen, and Nananom, the challenges that the people of Ashanti and indeed other parts of the country have had to endure in very recent times over the supply of power. And I can only thank you for the patience you have exhibited in the face of these challenges.”
About the Kumasi 1 Thermal Power Plant
With a total installed capacity of 150 megawatts, the plant marks a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to ensure sustainable electricity supply, particularly in the Ashanti Region.
Speaking at the commissioning, President Akufo-Addo emphasised that there is a growing demand for power as the population and economic activities of the country continue to expand.
According to him, projects like the power station are important in boosting the country’s energy supply to meet the expectations of Ghanaians.
“This power project is the first in Kumasi and, by extension, the Ashanti region. It is very significant as it will improve the delivery of electricity to the middle and northern belts of the country.
“Projects are further confirmation if any were needed, and my government is committed to ensuring that all parts of the country have the necessary infrastructure for development.”Source: Myjoyonline.com
Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has called on the Akufo-Addo government to confront the realities of the economic landscape and focus on implementing policies that stimulate the growth of industries, thereby fostering job creation and attracting increased investment.
In addition to his call for policy prioritisation, the Asantehene proposed divesting public enterprises such as the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) by engaging the private sector.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II,the Asantehene
He emphasised that involving private entities would ensure vital financial investments and the injection of fresh ideas, competencies, and resources necessary for their sustainability.
According to the revered king, without such reforms, both the government and the Ghanaian populace would fail to reap the benefits of these state-owned enterprises.
These remarks were made during the commissioning of a 430-kilometre natural gas pipeline by Genser Energy on Wednesday, April 17.
“It’s about time that the government realises that it’s not going to work for the government to be involved in setting up companies without involving the private sector. It doesn’t work. The government should confront policies and involve the private sector and you can attract more investors into the country which will create more employment.
“VRA and others are all government establishments, let’s give it out and diversify them into the private sector and get more money there and get the right people to do it. GRIDCo and others let’s give them the money and get the qualified people, diverse government from it and let them work.
Electricity Company is in a situation where we don’t know, but that also must be diversified and given to the private sector.
“Why are we still holding on when we don’t have the money? We’re not able to collect all the taxes we want, we’re going to IMF and all those for money. We’re hanging onto industries we cannot maintain and run.
“It’s about time we face reality and decide on what government should be doing and what the private sector should be doing. This is a testimony of the private sector, and they were able to attract investors,” he said.
Meanwhile, the government says the inauguration of the pipeline represents a significant step forward in bolstering the nation’s power sector, enhancing its capacity and reliability.
It was such a pleasure to witness earlier this morning, the coming into fruition of a long-held quest of the NPP government under His Excellency the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Asantehene His Royal Majesty Otumfuor Osei Tutu II – the inauguration of the Genser Energy Ghana Limited’s Kumasi Pipeline Project in Anwomaso, Kumasi.
Dr.Mathew Opoku Prempeh aka NAPO in a chat with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene
Being credited by the company for my modest role in conceptualizing and shepherding the project, I, in all humility also pay glowing tribute to the brilliant minds who contributed immensely to the realization of this project – notably, the Vice President of the Republic, H.E. Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, past Ministers for Energy, Technical Advisors and indeed, the dynamic team at the Ministry of Energy.
Following the successful completion of this pipeline project, it is heartwarming that private and public entities including the VRA, AKSA, CENIT, among others have resolved to relocate or build new power plants at Anwomaso to utilize the facility.
This project, I have no doubt, will rejuvenate the industrial sector of the Ashanti Region by enhancing the supply of natural gas to key stakeholders, ultimately positioning the region as pivotal industrial hub within the overarching context of the NPP government’s industrialisation agenda.
Hon. Andrew Egyapa Mercer[ Former Deputy Energy Minister, and Tourism and Creative Arts Minister Nominee writes:
Hon. John Jinapor’s ‘raving’ and ‘ranting’ on “Ameri Plants” Relocation and matters arising.
I’ve in the past few days seen a write up by my good friend the Ranking Member on the Mines & Energy Commitee of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Yarpei-Kusogu John Abdulai Jinapor bothering on the relocation of the “Ameri” Power Plant procured under the Presidency of Mr John Mahama and related matters.
I wish to indicate to Hon Jinapor that the NPP’s criticism of the Ameri transaction related primarily to the PRICE INFLATION – a characteristic NDC scheme to divert state funds just like it did with the Kasoa interchange; “ Kofi Dubai” Interchange; Cannizzaro Road contracts, etc. The fraudulent nature of the Ameri transaction has been succinctly dealt with in a piece authored by Mr. Kojo Poku in response to Hon Jinapor and will accordingly not dwell much on that issue.
Needless to say, it is important to bring to Hon Jinapor’s attention key factual matters which conveniently “escaped” him as follows:
1. That following the end date of the 5-year BOOT transaction executed by the Mahama administration, the 10 GE Plants procured under the deal were handed over to the VRA by the government in 2021.
2. Due to the “excess capacity” within the power generation space arising out of the numerous PPA’s executed by the Mahama administration during the ‘DUMSOR’ period between 2012 and 2016, the “Ameri” plants handed over to VRA has NEVER been turned on since February/March 2021 and were actually sitting and ‘wasting’ away at Aboadze in the Western Region.
3. To ensure that VRA make some future use of the “Ameri” plants and to achieve the objective of having a power enclave in the middle belt to enhance transmission line reliability and efficiency as contained in the outcome of the GRID studies done and published in 2014; and also to limit the transportation payments on the WAPCo reverse flow line, government, in 2021mandated the VRA to “decommission” the plants in Aboadze and relocate them to Anwomaso in the Ashanti Region.
4. VRA has completed the relocation of 6 units. These units of necessity ought to be “commissioned” before they can be put to use. How the “commissioning” of the plants constitutes a “crime” to warrant the incessant berating of the Akufo-Addo government beats my imagination!
5. Questioning the fact that consistent with the established mode of determining the name and ID of power plants, VRA chooses to name the relocated “Ameri” plants “Kumasi 1 Thermal Power Station” (K1TPP) is even more bizarre.
6. The fact of the matter is that, depending on the location of its thermal assets, VRA (and other IPPs) is in the nature of combining the name of the town where the plant is situated together with the sequence number to name the plant or if you like, generate the plant ID. Thus for example, some power plants in Kpong are named “Kpong Termal Power Plant I” (KTPP); in Tema are named Tema Thermal Power Station PH. 1 (TT1PP); Tema Thermal Power Station PH. 2 (TT2PP); and those in Takoradi named Takoradi Thermal Power Station -Train 1 (T1) etc. etc.. Depicting the name of the town and the sequence of plant in terms of first to be established.
7. To suggest that the Akufo-Addo government hasn’t achieved anything in the energy sector is laughable. Available data doesn’t support this assertion. And by the way, is it not the same Hon Jinapor who has accused the Akufo-Addo government of extending the AKSA PPA (albeit under more favourable terms than his NDC did); and also accused government of contracting another plant to be built in Kumasi to come on stream in 2027/28 when additional capacity will actually be needed? Are these two positions not contradictory?
8. Assuming without admitting that his assertions were even factual ( which is denied), will Hon Jinapor in all sincerity, have applauded the Akufo-Addo government if, on assumption of office, the government had gone on the tangent of just adding on capacity that Ghana didn’t need like his NDC government did with its attendant excess capacity payments running into Billions of Dollars just for the sake of (according to Hon Jinapor)“achieving something meaningful”?
9. Infact, the Akufo-Addo government acted and has consistently acted in a responsible manner in dealing with our energy issues. The government, as a first step in 2017 embarked on rationalizing the numerous PPAs signed by the NDC government, and has by and large kept the lights on (albeit with some temporary hiccups). Very much unlike the 4-year darkness that his darling former President John Mahama plunged this country into.
10. In any event, the NDC claims that NPP has abandoned the project that they started and is now criticizing this government for continuing and making better use of a government facility by relocating the “Ameri” plants to Kumasi.
11. From the forgoing, can it be said as a matter of fact that the NDC and Hon. John Jinapor’s real intention is to oppose any project going to Kumasi as some of their commentators are saying? I hope not.
12. Hon Jinapor should come again. His propaganda post against the Akufo-Addo government’s decision to relocate the “Ameri” plants won’t wash with right-thinking members of society. The decision is technically sound and the name K1TPP is consistent with established practice.
