The executive director of the Institute for Energy Security (IES), Nana Amoasi IV, has issued a warning: unless prompt and purposeful steps are taken to address fundamental issues with installed capacity and fuel supply, the current power outages in some areas of Ghana may continue.

He underlined how seriously these problems affect the nation’s power industry.

Certain regions of the nation, most notably Accra, the capital, have struggled with erratic power supplies, which has disrupted daily life.

The public has not yet received a load schedule from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) or a comprehensive explanation for the outages, which would help with preparedness.

Nana Amoasi discussed the frequent power outages, or “dumsor,” on the Citi FM program Citi Breakfast Show with Caleb Kudah.

He emphasized that the problems causing the present outages go beyond the current circumstances and have roots in earlier problems.

He asserts that extended blackouts are still likely unless the core issues plaguing the energy industry are resolved.

He emphasized the financial component of the issue by saying that resolving the financial limitations is essential to maintaining power supply stability.

“Two key things that I want to touch on are the issue of installed capacity and fuel supply. The fuel supply reliability is contingent on financial capacity. Over the last fifteen years or so, we have had issues with installed capacity but before the close of 2016, the past government confidently and adequately addressed the capacity issues and what was left was for us to ensure that we had handled the fuel supply issues.

“Once in a while, we will get some shortfalls from Akosombo and remember, the water in Akosombo is also fuel for the plant but for the thermal plant that relies on natural gas, we are unable to pay both the suppliers and sometimes the transporters, which results in a blockade of gas supply.”