Home / News / Have we passed the ‘Dumsor’ Era?

Have we passed the ‘Dumsor’ Era?

By Wilhelmina Oddoye

Ghana’s journey towards energy independence has been riddled with challenges, and the spectre of an energy crisis continues to loom amidst various governmental interventions.

Over the years, these challenges have led to power outages and disruptions, often referred to as “Dumsor”, a twi word which means “off-on”. Though the electricity crisis seemed to have been solved earlier, reality whispers.

During the President’s recent State of Nations address, he indicated that his government has made “admirable progress in the provision of electricity to all parts of the country”.

“Mr. Speaker, between 2012 and early 2017, there was nothing more demoralizing than the phenomenon we call DUMSOR. It was symptomatic of a dysfunctional system, and it caused widespread depression among businesses and households”.

“After that experience, my Government was determined that DUMSOR would not be inflicted upon Ghana and Ghanaians under the NPP government, and I am glad to be able to say, SO FAR, SO GOOD, we have managed to keep the lights on these last seven (7) years, even amid a financial crisis.
We have managed the energy sector with discipline and expertise, to avoid a repetition of the hardships inflicted on Ghanaians some years ago”

The question that still lingers is, is “Dumsor” really over?
If there is light in all parts of the country the president affirmed, why are people in some parts of the country sleeping in darkness?

It must be noted that the possibility of losses occurring during electricity transmission and distribution due to outdated infrastructure is extremely high. This loss further reduces the little power available for the country’s operation.

On the other hand, the Ghana Power Company (ECG) has accumulated significant debt, limiting its capacity to invest in new infrastructure or maintenance.

One problem I have concerning this whole “Dumsor” issue is the fact that the government of the day is refusing to communicate with the citizens of Ghana about the intensity of the situation. At least admitting there are problems with the energy sector and proposing solutions will in a run bring comfort to the people of Ghana.

Energy experts and some Ghanaians have made numerous calls to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to provide the nation with a load-shedding timetable.
This they believe will keep them informed and prepared before the lights go off. And honestly, their view is a very good approach that should be taken into consideration.

Addressing Ghana’s energy crisis requires a multi-pronged approach and communicating to the people should be the first step. By diversifying energy sources, upgrading infrastructure, managing debt responsibly, and potentially restructuring subsidies, the government can work towards a more stable and sustainable power supply for the future.

Adoanews.com

About Adoa News

Check Also

Mpraeso SHS alleged rape case: Suspects granted bail

Five students from Mpraeso Senior High School, accused of raping a female student, have been …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *