Implementation of load shedding by gov’t in time of so-called excess capacity highly unjustifiable – Minority

The Minority in Parliament has indicated that it is unreasonable for a load-shedding to be implemented when government has bragged about excess power capacity.

In a press release on Thursday, March 28, the Minority said there can be no excuse for the erratic power supply that is affecting health facilities.

"The Minority in Parliament has noted with deep concern the devastating impact of the ongoing unannounced and unscheduled electricity load shedding on the delivery of essential health services across the country. We are worried by reports that these outages have led to increased morbidity and mortality among patients relying on especially public health facilities.

“The Minority would like to reiterate that in time of so-called excess capacity, the implementation of a load shedding exercise by government is highly unjustifiable and there can be no excuse whatsoever for interrupting power supply, especially to health facilities,” part of the release by the Minority said.

In this regard, the Minority is demanding immediate action from the Ministry and relevant bodies to address the unannounced power outages being experienced all over the country.

“We, therefore, demand swift action from relevant authorities to address these critical issues and safeguard the delivery of vital health services to Ghanaians,” the Minority’s release signed by Juaboso MP Kwabena Mintah Akandoh said.

Read the full release from the Minority below:

MINORITY DEMANDS IMMEDIATE EXEMPTION OF HEALTH FACILITIES FROM CURRENT UNANNOUNCED AND UNSCHEDULED ELECTRICITY LOAD SHEDDING EXERCISES; CALLS FOR AN AUDIT TO ASCERTAIN THE CAPACITY AND RELIABILITY OF HOSPITAL ALTERNATE POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS.

The Minority in Parliament has noted with deep concern the devastating impact of the ongoing unannounced and unscheduled electricity load shedding on the delivery of essential health services across the country.

We are worried by reports that these outages have led to increased morbidity and mortality among patients relying on especially public health facilities.

Amid these happenings, the government has refused to heed wise counsel from suffering Ghanaians and businesses to publish a load shedding timetable to enable them plan their lives. This situation has obviously begun to take a toll on critical healthcare facilities across the country.

The Minority, therefore, demands the following urgent government interventions in order to save the people of Ghana from the ongoing crisis in the health sector:

1. The Ministry of Energy, in collaboration with relevant agencies must, without delay, exempt all health facilities nationwide from the current unannounced and unscheduled electricity load shedding and power outages.

2. The Ministry of Health working in tandem with the Ghana Health Service should:

a. Audit all alternate power supply systems within health facilities to determine their capacity and reliability in handling electricity disruptions and procurement of emergency power supply systems should be done if current systems are inadequate.

b. Provide adequate resources for the procurement of fuel and essential inputs necessary for the seamless operation of alternate power supply systems.

C. Ensure the implementation of robust maintenance and service regimes by all health facilities to enhance the reliability of their alternate power supply systems.

d. Conduct a comprehensive impact assessment to gauge the effects of recent power outages on health facility operations, including their impact on patient morbidity and mortality.

The Minority would like to reiterate that in time of so-called excess capacity, the implementation of a load-shedding exercise by government is highly unjustifiable and there can be no excuse whatsoever for interrupting power supply, especially to health facilities.

We therefore demand swift action from relevant authorities to address these critical issues and safeguard the delivery of vital health services to Ghanaians.

KWABENA MINTAH AKANDOH (MP) (Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health and Member of Parliament for Juaboso)