Dumsornomics: The Politics Of Greed And Incompetence

Isn't it disheartening that in 2024, a full ten years since the power outages, commonly known as the Dumsor era, the current government under President Akuffo Addo and Vice President Bawumia finds itself steering the nation back into the throes of power shortages?

The dire repercussions of Dumsor resonate deeply with many Ghanaians, even those born after the tumultuous period of 2014. Indeed, one of the key reasons for President John Mahama and his NDC's abysmal performance in the 2016 general elections was how they dealt with the energy crises in 2014/2015. The people of Ghana could not forgive Mahama and his NDC party for the many nights of sleeping in the dark, purchasing gallons of fuel to power generators, enduring the noise and pollution in the city, and suffering the economic toll on small and large businesses alike.

Yet, alas, after many promises and political propaganda by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration, we are back to Dumsor!

WHY?
The roots of this resurgence lie in a combination of political machinations and administrative ineptitude. One notable flashpoint is the AMERI power deal signed during the Mahama administration in 2015. This agreement, ostensibly aimed at addressing the energy deficit, has since been mired in controversy. While the initial contract cost the nation $510 million, subsequent revelations by the Akufo-Addo administration suggested overpayment to the tune of $150 million, allegedly due to inflated pricing by AMERI.

Rather than rectifying this issue with transparency and prudence, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration purportedly pursued self-serving deals, as claimed by former Energy Minister Agyarko. Such actions, driven by personal gain rather than public welfare, epitomize the politics of greed. When a government's first solution to a major financial burden on the taxpayer is to create additional debt for personal gain, my friend, that can only be considered greed!

The energy landscape further unraveled with mounting debts owed to Independent Power Producers (IPPs), exceeding $1.7 billion by mid-2023. These outstanding payments crippled the functioning of IPPs, impeding their ability to procure essential resources, particularly those priced in foreign currencies such as the US dollar.

By December 2023, the ramifications of this debt manifested as Sunon Asogli, an IPP, suspended power supply due to unpaid bills. The government's response, characterized by partial payments and promises of future settlements, underscored a short-sighted approach that exacerbated the crisis. Basically, a "kicking the can down the road" approach with the hope that IPPs will hang on. Hang-on they did, but not for long. Businesses thrive on cash flow, and with the government holding onto cash, the only outcome is where we are: darkness across the country.

This inability to address fundamental fiscal obligations reflects incompetence at the highest levels of governance. The current predicament underscores broader economic mismanagement, typified by reckless borrowing that has necessitated a return to IMF assistance, eroding previous gains. Had these debts been settled and economic stability maintained, the energy crisis could have been averted.

In essence, the Akuffo Addo/Bawumia energy policy appears rooted in opportunism rather than foresight, prioritizing personal gain over national interest. Their lackluster responses to crises and failure to plan for the future epitomize a governance style that disregards the welfare of Ghanaian citizens.

So, alas, indeed the chickens have come home to roast: Dumsor to Dumsor.

The choice for this election is indeed between a rock and a hard place.

Signed, An angry, disgruntled Son of Ghana.
Kwaku Oppong
[email protected]