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.
“Having failed in all their endeavors to bastardize the Ameri deal engineered by the visionary and Nation Builder, John Mahama to end the age-old Dumsor,President Akufo and Dr.Bawumia are now seeking to obliterate his enduring legacies in the energy sector.
And one of such move is the scheduled re-commissioning and renaming of the Ameri Power Plant on Wednesday,17th April 2024 at Anwomaso in the Oforikrom Municipality in the Ashanti Region.
The questions many people are asking are;
1.Why will the Akufo Addo/Bawumia govt waste scarce resources to recommission a power plant that has already been commissioned in 2015?
2.Why is the Akufo Addo/Bawumia govt seeking to change the of the power plant from Ameri to K1TPP?
Lawyer Abbas Nuredeen addressing the Media.
3.How does the mere recommissioning and renaming of the power plant from Ameri to K1TPP help resolve the financial crisis that is the main cause of the dumsor Ghanaians are presently experiencing?
4.How on earth does the mere relocation of the Ameri Power plant from Aboadze in the Western Region to Kumasi cost $35million which is over three times more than the $10million Otumfuo Osei Tutu is soliciting to renovate the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital?”.
The above questions, were contained in press statement read by Mr.Abbas Nurudeen,the Ashanti regional National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Officer at a well attended press conference held on Tuesday,16th April,2024 at Ashanti regional secretariat.
Mr.Nurudeen said it is to note that vat the time the deal was negotiated and concluded the New Patriotic Party led by Nana Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Dr.Mahamudu Bawumia were over the place claiming that the Ameri deal was tainted with corruption and that a future NPP Government will review and possibly abrogate the deal.
According to him,in a dramatic turn of events and contrary to their promise while in opposition, President Akufo-Addo, and Vice President Bawumia in ,2018 ended up inflating the deal to the tune of $800, million and extended the contract duration from 5 to 15 years much to the disadvantage of the good people of Ghana.
The full text of the statement is attached below;
PRESS CONFERENCE BY ASHANTI REGIONAL COMMUNICATION BUREAU TO ADDRESS ISSUES RELATING TO THE RENAMING OF THE AMERI POWER PLANT
Good Morning Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press.We thank you for making time to cover this all-important presser.
We have invited you here this morning to expose yet another lie and deception of the clueless,dishonest and incompetent Akufo Addo/Bawumia Government relative to the scheduled recommissioning of some components of the already-commissioned AMERI power plant under the new name Kumasi 1 Thermal Power Plant(K1TPP) on Wednesday,17th April 2024, at Anwomaso in the Ashanti Region.
HISTORY OF THE AMERI POWER PLANT
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press! The Ameri Power Plant is one of the many bold interventions by the erstwhile Mahama administration to decisively solve the Dumsor conundrum that had plagued this country since the days of President Kuffour.
The Ameri Power Plant was procured in 2015 under a build,own,operate and transfer arrangement to produce a total of 250 megawatts of power to shore up Ghana’s energy generation capacity and ensure adequate and sustainable power supply.
Under the said arrangement,Ghana was to take full ownership of the 250 megawatt capacity power plant after paying $510million within a five year period.
Ladies and Gentlemen!it is instructive to note that at the time the deal was negotiated and concluded ,the New Patriotic Party led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo and Dr.Mahamudu Bawumia were all over the place claiming that the Ameri deal was tainted with corruption and that a future NPP government will review and possibly abrogate the deal.
In a dramatic turn of events and contrary to their promise while in opposition ,President Akufo Addo and Vice President Bawumia in 2018 ended up inflating the deal to the tune of $800million and extended the contract duration from 5 to 15 years much to the disadvantage of the good people Ghana.
When this daylight robbery was arrested in its tracks by the ever vigilant and meticulous NDC Minority in Parliament,President Akufo Addo came out hands in the air claiming to have been misled and proceeded to force the resignation of then Energy Minister,Mr.Boakye Agyarko just to mask his shame and ignominy.
RENAMING AND RECOMMISSIONING OF THE AMERI POWER PLANT
Having failed in all their endeavors to bastardize the Ameri deal engineered by the visionary and Nation Builder John Mahama to end the age-old Dumsor,President Akufo and Dr.Bawumia are now seeking to obliterate his enduring legacies in the energy sector.
And one of such move is the scheduled re-commissioning and renaming of the Ameri Power Plant on Wednesday,17th April 2024 at Anwomaso in the Oforikrom Municipality in the Ashanti Region.
The questions many people are asking are;
1.Why will the Akufo Addo/Bawumia govt waste scarce resources to recommission a power plant that has already been commissioned in 2015?
2.Why is the Akufo Addo/Bawumia govt seeking to change the of the power plant from Ameri to K1TPP?
3.How does the mere recommissioning and renaming of the power plant from Ameri to K1TPP help resolve the financial crisis that is the main cause of the dumsor Ghanaians are presently experiencing?
4.How on earth does the mere relocation of the Ameri Power plant from Aboadze in the Western Region to Kumasi cost $35million which is over three times more than the $10million Otumfuo Osei Tutu is soliciting to renovate the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital?
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press!The more questions we ask,the more confused we become as to the true intentions of this government.Need we say that the Akufo Addo/Bawumia govt,having borrowed so much with very little to show,is seeking to rebrand and take credit for most of the projects initiated by the visionary John Mahama just to create a false sense of performance.
They started with the Kumasi Airport phase 2 project,which is one of President Mahama’s towering achievements in the Ashanti Region and now the renaming of Ameri Power plant to K1TPP.
But let it be known that when Dumsor was collapsing the businesses of inhabitants of the Ashanti Region and beyond,it was John Mahama’s Ameri Power plant(howsoever it is called) that was brought in to save the situation.
This affirms the widely held view by many that indeed President Mahama took bold and decisive steps to solve Dumsor and even eight years after living office,it is his interventions that continue to sustain the energy sector.
We urge the good people of ASANTEMAN to keep faith with President John Mahama in the upcoming elections as he represents the safest and most experienced pair of hands to lead Ghana out of the current economic quagmire we have been plunged into by the cluelessness,dishonest and incompetent Akufo Addo/Bawumia government.
Some residents of Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, have declared their readiness to join the upcoming demonstration (Night Vigil) by Ashanti Democrats in demand for reliable power in the region.
According to them, the planned Night Vigil should be supported by all to send a strong signal to the Government and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to sit up and work to ensure reliable power supply.
Speaking to The New Trust newspaper ahead of the Night Vigil, Madam Akosua Foriwaa, Patricia Manu, Mr. Yaw Acheampong and other residents expressed their frustrations over the ongoing power outages (dumsor).
They, therefore, appealed to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government led by Nana Akufo-Addo and ECG to up their game to ensure reliable power supply.
“The dumsor is killing our businesses and something needs to be done about it urgently; that is the main reason some of us have decided to join the upcoming Night Vigil,” Mr. Acheampong explained.
Papa Jay,the President of the group FLASH BACK! All is set for Ashanti Democrats’ NIGHT VIGIL in Demand for Reliable Power Supply on April 17
The organisers of an upcoming dumsor demonstration (Night Vigil) in the Ashanti Region led by Jerry James Sukah, who is popularly known as Papa Jay, have confirmed that all is set for a massive Ashanti Democrats’ protest slated for Wednesday, 17th April 2024.
The protest is coming off in the wake of weeks of erratic power supply in many parts of the country, especially in the Ashanti Region.
According to the organisers, they are going to use the protest to demand reliable power supply in the Ashanti Region and also demand accountability from the management of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Government.
It would be recalled that the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Simon Osei-Mensah, even threatened to embark on a demonstration recently against the ECG over unreliable power supply in the region.
The organisers are, therefore, encouraging all Ghanaians, especially those in the Ashanti Region, to join the protest, irrespective of their political and religious affiliations, to demand reliable power supply.
Papa Jay, the President of Ashanti Democrats group, who doubles as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communication Officer for the Oforikrom Constituency, urged residents of the region, saying “never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty, truth and compassion against injustice, lies and greed. Join us as we demand accountability and immediate action against erratic power supply in the Ashanti Region. Stand with us for reliable electricity and a brighter future for all.”
He, therefore, gave information about the date, venue, converging point and the routes for the protest through to the ending point as follows:
Date for the demonstration: Wednesday, 17th April 2024
Time: 5 p.m. sharp
Converging point: Anloga junction then proceed and end at NDC party office, Amakom
Also, he urged all those who have decided to join and those planning to join to get their candles and lantern ready!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has issued a response to allegations by the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) alleging ECG’s purported non-compliance with load management instructions.
In a letter dated March 28, 2024, GRIDCo raised concerns about ECG’s adherence to load management directives from GRIDCo’s System Control Centre (SCC), virtually accusing the power distributor of intransigence and putting the country’s power generation at risk.
ECG which has emphasised its commitment to cooperate with GRIDCo and maintain operational cohesion within the electricity value chain, has however expressed confusion and concern over the allegations, stating that GRIDCo’s characterisation of the situation lacks context and overlooks operational challenges faced by ECG.
“The letter which was received on 3rd April, 2024 portrays that there is no cohesion and cooperation in operational matters between ECG and GRIDCo in maintaining national power system integrity. ECG wants to reiterate that GRIDCo is our partner in the electricity value chain, and that we work closely together. This makes the presence and circulation of this letter confounding to ECG.”
Samuel D. Mahama, MD of ECG
According to ECG’s response, captured in a letter Myjoyonline has sighted, the issue primarily revolves around the timing and adequacy of load management requests received from GRIDCo. While ECG acknowledges receiving directives from GRIDCo to drop loads at specific Bulk Supply Points (BSPs), it highlights discrepancies in the timing of these requests and the resulting impact on operational planning.
ECG provided detailed statistics on load management requests received from GRIDCo between January and March 2024, demonstrating instances where requests were received shortly before peak or off-peak periods, limiting ECG’s ability to plan and inform customers adequately. Despite these challenges,
ECG asserts that it has maintained a high level of compliance with load management requests, particularly in January and February 2024.
“It is a fact that GRIDCO routinely directs ECG’s System Operators to drop load at some of our Bulk Supply Points (BSPs), but the issue has been the inadequacy between the time these requests are received and the time these requests must be effected to sustain the integrity of the power system and also for ECG to inform its customers.
“It worthy to note that, between January and March 2024, sixty-four (64No.) requests were received from GRIDCo for load management. Out of this, forty (40No.) were for peak periods (18:00 – 24:00 hrs) and twenty-four (24No.) for off-peak (06:00 – 18:00 hrs) load management.
“Out of the forty (40no.) peak load requests, thirty-five (35No.) (88%) of them were received within an hour to the peak period. There were only five (5No) (12%) instances where ECG received the request within 2-3 hours of the peak period.
“Out of the Twenty-Four (24No.) off-peak load requests, three (3No) (13%) of them were received within 30 minutes to the off-peak period while the remaining Twenty-One (21 No.) (87%) instances were received far into the off-peak period.”
Furthermore, ECG highlighted specific incidents in March 2024 where operational challenges within its network led to a lower compliance rate with GRIDCo’s load management directives.
ECG also emphasised the need for GRIDCo to provide advance notice of load management requests to enable ECG to plan and execute operations effectively without unduly impacting customers.
The power distributor also reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with GRIDCo and other stakeholders to ensure the stability of the transmission system, however, ECG reiterated its request for GRIDCo to provide timely and comprehensive notices for load management operations to facilitate effective coordination and minimize disruptions to customers.
“It is noted that, requests from GRIDCo for load management are no longer for emergency operations, but are made on a routine day-to-day basis, becoming an irritation and disturbance to customers.
“ECG wishes to state that we will always cooperate with all relevant stakeholders including GRIDCo in order not to jeopardize the stability of the Transmission system. We however wish to reiterate our request that the Notice to our System Operators for load management should be received before 3:00pm for peak load and 4am for off-peak load management or to be received 24 hours ahead in each case, as what is happening now is no longer an emergency operation but seemingly a routine daily activity,” said the letter signed by ECG Managing Director, Samuel D. Mahama.Source:myjoyonline.com
Today, Thursday, 4th April, 2024, I swore into office, newly appointed Board Chairman of the Electricity Company of Ghana, Hon. Herbert Krapa.
Dr.Matgew Opoku Prempeh aka NAPO swearing in the New Board Chairman of ECG,Herbert Krapa
The appointment of Herbert Krapa
, I said, sends the clearest indication of the President’s renewed interest in the affairs of the company and therefore the need for a commensurate culture of accountability, professionalism, and innovation within the ECG.
Herbert Krapa
I urged the new Board Chairman to reflect deeply on the trust and expectations placed upon him by His Excellency the President in this defining moment in the life of the ECG.
I believe that Hon. Krapa, a Deputy Minister for Energy, is acutely aware of the vexed matters within the power sector and therefore have no doubt that, he will, with the necessary support, stem the tide.
Together, we remain resolute to support the ECG become viable to prosecute the crucial mandate of keeping the lights on for the Ghanaian people.
I congratulate Hon. Krapa warmly, on his appointment.
The Energy Ministry has clarified recent remarks by the sector minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, regarding the release of a timetable for ongoing power outages.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, March 26, and signed by the Minister’s spokesperson, Kofi Abrefa Afena, it was emphasised that Dr. Prempeh was simply stating facts.
Dr. Prempeh challenged those advocating for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to issue a load-shedding timetable to present their own proposed schedules.
During the inauguration of the NPP campaign team in the Ashanti Region, he encouraged critics to develop their own timetables if they deemed it necessary.
Dr.Mathew Opoku Prempeh(NAPO), Energy Minister
He questioned the rationale behind creating a timetable when the ECG has confirmed that no such plan is in place.
Despite widespread public criticism of his comments, the statement clarified that the Minister holds respect for Ghanaians, as has been his attitude, and did not intend to disrespect citizens.
According to the statement, Dr Opoku Prempeh asserted that there was no need for the release of a timetable for the recent power outages.
“The Minister dismissed the need for a load management time table because in his view and as indicated by the Electricity Company of Ghana, the causes of the temporary power chalenges are being addressed.”
“The Honourable Minister has always been sensitive to the plight of the Ghanaian people and continues to ask for their forbearance, as has always been the case when challenges relative ot power stability emerge.”
“The Ministry wishes to assure the general public that the Ministry as the policy maker and mother agency of the various power sector actors si working assiduously with these agencies to ensure that the temporary challenges are resolved,” the statement concluded.Source: Ernest K. Arhinful
Despite the recent wave of power outages affecting regions across Ghana, Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has staunchly defended the energy sector under President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration, asserting that it surpasses the previous regime led by John Mahama.
Criticism has surfaced in various parts of the country, particularly in Greater Accra, where citizens have faced disruptions due to the erratic supply of electricity, prompting frustration towards the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
As demands for a structured load-shedding timetable have mounted to aid in planning amidst the power crisis, ECG has rebuffed such calls, maintaining that there is no official “dumsor”, negating the necessity for a prescribed schedule.
Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh aka NAPO
Addressing concerns at the NPP campaign team inauguration in the Ashanti Region, Dr. Opoku Prempeh highlighted the strides made within the energy sector under the NPP government, emphasizing a significant enhancement compared to the previous NDC administration.
In an apparent comparison of the two administrations’ energy performances over their respective four-year terms, Dr. Opoku Prempeh asserted, “the NPP administration Energy Sector is 300 times better than that of Mahama.”
Assuring the public of ongoing efforts to rectify the current challenges, Dr. Opoku Prempeh acknowledged the complexities involved in elevating the energy sector, pledging continuous commitment from his ministry to improve the situation progressively.
Dismissing the need for a load-shedding timetable, Dr. Opoku Prempeh echoed ECG’s stance and condemned the proposition, questioning the intentions of those advocating for it, stating, “Let those who want the timetable bring it. I don’t know of any timetable because the ECG has said it is not necessary. Why would someone just wish evil for the country?”Source: dailyguidenetwork.com
The Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has reassured the public of putting in place measures to fix the recent power supply disruption across the country.
Various areas have been experiencing interruptions in electricity supply in the past weeks, prompting citizens to express their dissatisfaction with the ECG.
Dr.Mathew Opoku Prempeh aka NAPO
This has triggered calls for a load-shedding timetable, but the Energy Minister has dismissed the request.
He says the demand for a load-shedding timetable is equivalent to wishing evil for the country.
“Let those who want the timetable bring it. I don’t know of any timetable because the ECG has said it is not necessary. Why would someone just wish evil for the country?” he asked.
According to Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the government is working towards power restoration.
“I have promised you that we are going to work on it and it’s not a single event. It’s a process,” he indicated.
Dr. Opoku Prempeh says although the recent power outages confronting the country has become a major challenge, it is better under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo than it was under John Mahama.
He wants citizens to exercise patience as the ECG works toward power restoration.Source: Nana Boakye Dankwah Yiadom
One of the leading members of the NDC, Henry Osei Akoto, has provided a video of what he says is a classic example of the re-emergence of the erratic power supply in the country, commonly known as ‘dumsor.’
In the video, which the former National Democratic Congress parliamentary aspirant for Oforikrom shared online, he showed how he had visited a popular market area in Kumasi and seen many shops with generators.
Osei Akoto’s visit to Adum, Kumasi, as he stated in the video, is to confirm that indeed, dumsor had returned.
