The warning issued by John Abdulai Jinapor, the Member of Parliament for Yapei-Kusawgu, about an impending energy crisis in Ghana is causing alarm among citizens. Jinapor highlighted the lack of fuel reserves for power generation as a major concern, attributing the situation to the failure of the outgoing Nana Akufo-Addo administration to secure necessary fuel supplies despite repeated warnings.
Speaking in an interview with JoyNews after the swearing-in ceremony of President John Mahama on January 7, 2025, Jinapor painted a grim picture of the current fuel stock for power generation. He revealed that the country only has five hours’ worth of fuel left, with heavy fuel oil and diesel fuel supplies expected to run out within two days.
Furthermore, Jinapor emphasized that the current government has not placed any new fuel orders, exacerbating the looming energy crisis. The growing energy needs of Ghana necessitate a steady and reliable fuel supply to ensure uninterrupted power generation and prevent disruptions in the supply of electricity to households and businesses.
Ghana has had a tumultuous history with power outages, particularly during John Mahama’s first term in office. The energy crisis, locally known as Dumsor, was a major factor in the defeat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government in 2016. Mahama’s administration was able to resolve the crisis before being ousted from power, leading to a period of relative stability in electricity supply.
However, in the months leading up to the 2024 General Elections, Ghana experienced significant power outages in some regions, raising concerns about the sustainability of the country’s energy infrastructure. The current warning from Jinapor serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proactive measures to secure fuel supplies and maintain a reliable electricity grid for the well-being of the population.
