Deploy Mass Disconnection Exercise To Alleviate “Dumsor Dumsor”—Dr. John Gatsi

This farmer's day, December 5, 2014, witnessed an event adjudged by many as a watershed in Ghana's developmental discourse. The first episode of the Great Expectations Series was telecast live, from the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel, on the business television channel, BTA

The event, organized by Zhest Consult, provided a platform where real policy proposals were put forward by experts to provide conceptual blue prints that can be adopted by policy makers in addressing teething national problems. The debate candidates for this maiden edition of the event were; Mr. Sydney Casely Hayford, a renowned Financial Analyst and Dr. Kobby Mensah – lecturer, University of Ghana Business School.

Dr. Tweneboah Senzu – The Managing Director of the Bastiat Institute – an economic policy Think Tank; Mr. Kofi Kukubor – an Energy Sector Policy Analyst and Dr. John Gatsi – an Economic Policy Analyst, were panelists on the night.

The Business, Environment and Development Research Company – Bizendev, Technical Consultants for the event, developed practical Case Problems that were posed to the candidates. The Problem statements included real issues regarding; Ghana's Currency Depreciation, the Energy Crisis and Challenges of Ghana's Agricultural Supply Chain.

By the end of the debate, there was a clear distinction in perspectives between the debate candidates and the panelist - Mr. Kukubor; on the matter of a short term proposal for resolving the energy crises. Mr. Sydney Casely Hayford particularly held that the Case Problem sets him up to fail by requesting that he proposes a short term solution to the energy crisis within Six (6) months. Others among the audience also concerted that energy experts have indicated there is no possible short term means of solving the energy crisis, save for politicians who still hold it is possible.

Mr. Kukubor, upon assessment of the debate candidates however brought forth an entirely new perspective to the matter. He held that it was possible for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to alleviate, if not totally end the power crisis. He stated that the ECG has a well laid out plan of consumers. Thus, it was possible for the national power distributor to trace all its defaulting clients.

He contended that, since those who owe the ECG continue to consume power, it was only appropriate in this time of crisis to engage in a mass disconnection exercise to reduce burden on the grid. This “Use –as- you-pay” proposal he believes will greatly cut down on the power demand.

The event concluded with Mr. Sydney Casely-Hayford declared as winner of the maiden episode. The judges, contestants and the audience expressed their excitement about the prospects the event presents in terms of bringing original ideas to bear on the efforts at resolving our national issues.

The Great Expectations Series is set to come off on every public holiday. The next episode is however scheduled for March 6, 2015; Ghana's Independence day