<<Print>>

The Ministry of Energy has clarified on the recent remarks made by the sector minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, regarding the release of a timetable for ongoing power disruptions.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, March 26 by the Minister’s spokesperson, Kofi Abrefa Afena, Dr. Opoku Prempeh was simply stating facts and he did not intend to disrespect Ghanaians as being purported by some persons within the media space.

This clarification came at the back of the Energy Minister’s comment regarding the incessant power outages where he refused to describe the situation as ‘dumsor’.

Dr. Opoku Prempeh stated that the country is not facing ‘dumsor’ (erratic power supply), indicating that individuals calling for a load-shedding timetable should release it themselves.

According to Dr. Prempeh, the current power situation is “300 times better” than what was experienced under former President John Mahama in 2015. 

“If you are comparing four years, four years, NPP administration is 300 times better than John Mahama,” he stated.

He admitted an erratic power supply, saying, “nobody has said we haven’t experienced dumsor. I am just saying it is far much better than John Mahama ever did”.

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 challenges 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 to 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 is working assiduously with these agencies to ensure that the temporary challenges are resolved,” the statement concluded.