Stop blaming Akosombo inferno for current dumsor — Okoe Boye tells Energy Minister

Former Minister for Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, has accused the John Mahama-led National Democratic Congress government of being dishonest about the causes of the recent intermittent power outages across the country.

Ghana has, in recent weeks, experienced recurring electricity disruptions, with the Electricity Company of Ghana initially attributing the situation to ongoing transformer upgrades.

The situation was later linked to a fire outbreak at the Akosombo GRIDCo power station, which reportedly affected about 1,000 megawatts of power supply to the national grid.

The Energy Minister, Dr. John Jinapor, has since said all six affected turbines have been restored and described the development as "mission accomplished."

However, speaking on Accra-based Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana on Monday, May 4, Dr. Okoe Boye rejected the explanation that the Akosombo fire is responsible for the current power challenges.

“I hear people saying that the turbines have been restored. And my brother, JJ, say 'mission accomplished'. Which mission has he accomplished?” he questioned.

He argued that the power challenges predate the Akosombo incident and should not be linked solely to it.

“Before John Jinapor became Minister for Energy, Ghanaians were having reliable power. How can you come and tell us your mission?” he added.

Dr. Okoe Boye further claimed that similar excuses were given when the country witnessed one of its worst power outages under the first tenure of President Mahama between 2013 and 2017.

According to the former Ledzokuku lawmaker, Ghanaians are now concerned about a return to prolonged power challenges.

He urged the government to focus on providing lasting solutions rather than explanations.