In recent developments, Ghana has halted the transmission of electrical power to its neighboring West African countries, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, marking a significant shift in the region's energy dynamics. John Jinapor, the Ranking Member for the Committee on Mines and Energy, raised concerns about Ghana's worsening electricity situation, highlighting a substantial 580 MW deficit. This deficit has prompted the cessation of power supply to not only Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso but also to Togo, revealing the severity of the crisis.
The timing of this decision coincided with President Akufo-Addo's State of the Nation Address, underscoring the urgent need to address the country's electricity instability. Utility companies have been forced to shed load actively, plunging numerous communities into prolonged periods of darkness and disrupting supply to neighboring nations. This development has sparked calls from the Opposition in Parliament for the government to urgently tackle the electricity crisis, which has left consumers grappling with inconsistent power supply for several weeks.
During a press conference at Parliament, it was revealed that a significant reduction of 530 MW occurred on a single day, exacerbating the already dire situation. The Member of Parliament for Yapei Kusawgu attributed this crisis to a lack of funds for fuel procurement, further emphasizing that some thermal plants are non-operational. This revelation sheds light on the challenges facing Ghana's power sector, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address the root causes of the electricity crisis and ensure a stable energy supply for both domestic consumers and neighboring countries.
