By Alhaji Alhasan Abdulai
I am sure that every well meaning Ghanaian is in constant prayers for God to help us solve problems associated with our current electricity supply for us all to enjoy 24 hour supply of electricity. Even though the President has served notice that his Power Minister Dr Kwabena Donkor would soon announce the end of power shedding arrangements, there are indications that the load shedding arrangements might continue. Information emanating from our media houses indicates that currently the GRIDCO has ordered the reduction of 660 megawatts of power a day from the national grid. The reasons given are that though the Akosombo Dam has experienced increase in water level, some of the turbines of the Akosombo Dam have broken down. There are problems with the tico one and three at Takoradi thermal stations while the Soni Asogli power stations is yet to be brought to its maximum production level. As a result of these, we are being asked to brace ourselves for further power cuts in our homes, commercial and industrial set ups. This situation is likely to dampen the spirit of Ghanaians who have endured the problems associated with power cuts for the past four years. Christmas is around the corner a period when businesses would be at their peak to depend on power for their activities. All Ghanaians must pray fervently for all the problems associated with power supply to be solved. That would be possible if we find money to pay the West Africa Power Company to ensure constant supply of gas from Nigeria. We must also do well to pray for the power badges being brought in from Turkey to arrive on time in November to augment the current power supply in the country. As we wait for improvement in power supply, the Public Utilities Regulation Committee should hold on with the proposed increase in utility tariffs. The consumers are likely to kick against any increases in utility tariffs especially so when their businesses and domestic affairs would suffer from lack of constant supply of power. While the government, through the Power Ministry is engaged in activities to find solution to the power problems, the entire people who are consumers of power must be given information regularly on all that is happening in the power sector. Such information must come directly from government. This is the only way the people will be well informed to avoid speculation and the fear that would emanate from speculations about the processes of solving the problems associated with power supply.
Executive Director
EANFOWORLD FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
P.O.BOX 17070AN 233244370345/23326370345/ 233208844791
abdulai.alhasan@gmail.com /eanfoworld@yahoo.com