'Though we're addressing dumsor' — Afenyo-Markin praises #DumsorMustStop vigil as wake-up call for Energy Minister

Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has commended the organizers of the recent #DumsorMustStop vigil, acknowledging its importance in highlighting the ongoing issues with erratic power supply.

He believes the vigil will serve as a crucial reminder for Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh to address these persistent problems.

On Saturday, June 8, actress Yvonne Nelson led the #DumsorMustStop protest, starting the vigil at the main gate of the University of Ghana.

The protesters then marched to the Tetteh Quarshie roundabout, where the organizers delivered a statement.

Despite initial attempts to obstruct the protest due to disagreements over the location, approximately thirty police personnel were deployed to oversee the event.

Speaking to teachers during the distribution of laptops in the Effutu municipality as part of his one-teacher-one-laptop initiative, Mr. Afenyo-Markin assured them that the power outages would soon be resolved.

"Look at the developments in the sub-region as a member of ECOWAS Parliament. Even power supply is an issue in Nigeria—I'm just coming from Abuja, where almost every household has a generator. In Benin, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Conakry, Equatorial Guinea, and Cape Verde, they don't have reliable power. We do, but even so, it’s not enough," he stated.

"We should continue to highlight this issue. Our sister Yvonne Nelson organized a demonstration. Although we are addressing the problem in the energy sector, this vigil serves as a wake-up call for the Minister of Energy, reminding him to solve the issue completely. After all, that’s why the people voted for us," he added.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin's remarks underscore the significance of civic activism in holding public officials accountable and ensuring that critical issues, such as power supply, receive the necessary attention and action.