Akufo-Addo inherited a poor, debt-ridden energy sector but still kept the lights on — Miracles Aboagye

Dennis Miracles Aboagye, a communications team member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), says President Akufo-Addo inherited a struggling, debt-ridden energy sector from the first John Mahama-led NDC administration but still managed to keep the lights on for Ghanaians.

In a social media post on Thursday, May 22, Mr Aboagye, who also served as Director of Communications for the NPP’s 2024 presidential campaign, said the NDC government left behind an energy sector saddled with a $2.5 billion debt and unstable power supply.

“For eight years, the Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia government kept the lights on and ensured the country enjoyed stable and reliable power, except for an eight-week crisis. And we did this without throwing tantrums or ranting,” he wrote.

He further claimed that the debt was a result of poorly negotiated Independent Power Producer (IPP) contracts under the NDC administration.

“The NDC handed over energy sector debt of $2.5 billion and a four-year consistent dumsor. This was debt piled up due to bad IPP contracts—‘take or pay’ agreements—signed by an incompetent NDC government, which put the country at risk of judgment debts should these contracts be reviewed,” he stated.

Miracles Aboagye also criticised the current Mahama-led administration for what he describes as inaction in the face of ongoing erratic power supply.

“Businesses are suffering, hospitals are going through pain, factories are operating at half capacity and some shutting down. Citizens cannot have good sleep at night, and yet there is no sign of recovery.

“It is time for the government to stop talking and get to work. We have a history with this same government when it comes to energy management in this country, and we are jittery and nervous,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy has responded to calls for a load-shedding timetable by assuring that enough generation capacity exists to meet demand, even during peak hours, making the calls unnecessary.