Edward Bawa, a Member of Parliament serving on the Mines and Energy Committee and representing the Bongo constituency, has sounded an alarm about the impending energy challenges that he predicts the next government of Ghana will face. During an appearance on JoyNews’ The Pulse on March 25, Bawa articulated concerns over the state of the energy sector, which he claims is on the brink of a significant crisis due to burgeoning debt and a failure to expand generation capacity. This issue, he asserts, is a ticking time bomb that could severely impact the nation’s economy and the day-to-day lives of its citizens.
Bawa’s stark warning comes amid growing public dissatisfaction with the current power situation, which has been characterized by frequent outages and uncertainty. The MP criticized the ruling government for what he sees as a lack of transparency and a tendency to manage the energy sector’s problems through public relations efforts rather than substantive policy and infrastructure development. He highlighted the importance of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission’s (PURC) validation report on the Energy Sector, urging stakeholders to consider its findings seriously.
According to Bawa, the government’s portrayal of the situation as under control is misleading, pointing to a significant underestimation of the energy sector’s indebtedness, which the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has flagged as a critical risk to Ghana’s economy. The MP emphasized the urgent need for action to augment the country’s energy production capabilities, criticizing the government for resting on the laurels of “excess capacity” claims without making tangible efforts to increase generation to meet growing demand.
The debate over the state of Ghana’s energy sector is not new, but Bawa’s comments shed light on the complexities and gravity of the challenges ahead. The Energy Minister’s denial of the return of “dumsor” — a local term for frequent power outages — and rejection of calls for a load-shedding timetable have done little to quell concerns. Meanwhile, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has faced its share of criticism for the current power disruptions, which it attributes to maintenance work and transformer overloads during peak hours.
Bawa’s critique extends beyond the immediate issue of power outages, touching on broader themes of governance, accountability, and financial management within the energy sector. He accuses the government of prioritizing image over substance, leading to a situation where short-term fixes are chosen over long-term solutions. This approach, he argues, risks leaving the country ill-prepared for the energy demands of the future and could saddle the next administration with a crisis of considerable magnitude.
The dialogue surrounding Ghana’s energy sector reflects broader questions about the balance between economic growth, infrastructure development, and sustainable energy policies. As Ghana looks to the future, the need for a comprehensive strategy that addresses the immediate challenges of power supply, as well as the long-term goals of energy security and sustainability, has never been more apparent. Bawa’s call to action is a stark reminder of the work that lies ahead for Ghana’s policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the public as they navigate the complexities of ensuring a stable and prosperous energy future for all Ghanaians.
This unfolding scenario serves as a critical juncture for Ghana’s energy sector, highlighting the need for decisive action, innovative solutions, and robust dialogue among all stakeholders. As the nation prepares for a potential transition of power, the energy sector’s challenges underscore the importance of strategic planning, investment in infrastructure, and a commitment to transparency and accountability. The path forward will require a concerted effort to not only address the current deficiencies but also to lay the groundwork for a sustainable and resilient energy system that can support Ghana’s development ambitions in the years to come.
