GUTA doubtful about announced end to load shedding

President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Mr George Ofori, has said he remains doubtful about the announced end to load shedding until the country really experiences continued power supply in 2016.

“Saying it is over is one thing and it really being over is another,” Mr Ofori told Kwadwo Asare-Baffuor Acheampong (KABA) on Asempa FM’s political talk show Ekosii Sen on Wednesday December 30, 2015.

Mr Ofori said since the government has failed to deliver on several promises, as far as ending the power crisis is concerned, he will not believe that the situation has been solved, the official announcement notwithstanding, until he really experiences an improvement next year.

“The excuses are too much so it makes it difficult for us to believe them … I will not believe it until I start feeling it. I am a doubting Thomas. Unless they prove me wrong, I’ll continue to be a doubting Thomas,” he said, adding: “There’s no need to congratulate” the Power Minister for apparently delivering on his promise to end the crisis before the end of the year.

The Power Ministry announced the end to the load shedding regime on Wednesday, a day shy of the Minister’s self-imposed deadline.

A statement from the Ministry signed by Kweku Sesah Johnson said: “The Ministry of Power wishes to inform the public that its load-shedding programme, in respect of electricity supply, has been brought to an end.”

“The Ministry takes this opportunity to express its profound gratitude and appreciation to the entire citizenry and residents of Ghana for their forbearance and understanding during those difficult times.

"The Ministry and its agencies wish to assure the public that they shall continue to pursue policies and programmes to consolidate the gains so far made in generation and transmission of electricity for the country,” the statement added.