Mahama tells US and UK diplomats that Ghana’s energy sector requires urgent action.
President-elect John Dramani Mahama has highlighted the critical need for urgent reforms in Ghana’s energy sector, describing it as a key priority for his incoming administration. During discussions with diplomats from the United States and the United Kingdom, Mahama underscored the importance of addressing the sector’s challenges to ensure sustainable growth and development for the nation.
The energy sector, in particular, requires urgent attention, Mahama stated. We hope to work closely with partners and stakeholders to resolve the issues in that space. His comments reflect the growing consensus that Ghana’s energy challenges, including irregular power supply, mounting debts, and inefficiencies within state-owned enterprises, have become critical bottlenecks to economic progress.
The President-elect’s remarks come at a time when Ghana’s energy sector faces significant hurdles. Chronic power outages, colloquially known as dumsor, have intermittently disrupted daily life and business operations over the past decade. Despite efforts to stabilize the sector, challenges such as underinvestment in infrastructure, inefficiencies in power generation and distribution, and unsustainable debt levels have persisted.
Mahama’s pledge to prioritize energy reform is not new to his political agenda. During his previous tenure as president, his administration initiated several key projects, including investments in renewable energy and the development of thermal plants. However, critics argue that the reforms fell short of achieving lasting stability in the sector. This time, Mahama’s approach appears to focus on leveraging international partnerships and expertise to tackle the deep-seated issues.
Collaboration with global partners, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, is expected to play a central role in Mahama’s energy strategy. By engaging with these nations, Ghana aims to attract technical and financial assistance to modernize its energy infrastructure and diversify its energy mix. This could include increasing the share of renewable energy in the national grid, improving the efficiency of power plants, and addressing the financial viability of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and other state-owned entities.
Diplomats from both the U.S. and the U.K. expressed their willingness to support Ghana’s energy transformation efforts. They emphasized the importance of a stable and reliable energy supply in driving economic growth, fostering trade, and improving living standards. Mahama’s proactive engagement with these nations signals his administration’s commitment to building a resilient energy sector capable of meeting Ghana’s growing demands.
As Mahama prepares to take office, the energy sector’s reform will be a litmus test for his administration’s ability to deliver on promises of economic revival and improved governance. With the support of international partners and a clear vision for change, the President-elect’s focus on the energy sector could pave the way for a more stable and prosperous Ghana.
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