Dumsor: Ghana Faces Potential Electricity Blackout with Only 5 Days of Fuel Reserves Left for Power Generation

Ghana is on the brink of a severe energy crisis, with officials warning that the nation has just five days of fuel reserves left to power its electricity plants. The term “Dumsor,” derived from the Akan language meaning “on and off,” has come to symbolize the rolling blackouts that have long plagued the nation.

John Abdulai Jinapor, a former deputy energy minister and member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), recently disclosed the alarming fuel shortage in an impromptu media appearance. His statement, criticized for its abruptness, has added to the confusion surrounding Ghana’s energy sector, according to Bright Simons, a prominent policy analyst.

Simons contends that sensational claims obscure the deeper structural issues within Ghana’s energy policy. A core concern, he notes, is the country’s reliance on expensive liquid fuels, such as heavy fuel oil (HFO) and diesel, as substitutes for natural gas, the primary fuel for its thermal power plants. These plants supply approximately 65 percent of Ghana’s electricity.

Switching from gas to liquid fuels has not only heightened operational costs but also strained Ghana’s electricity sector, which carries a debt exceeding $2.5 billion. For example, transitioning the private power producer Karpowership from HFO to natural gas reportedly saved Ghana $412 million annually.

Simons raises key policy questions left unaddressed:

• What is the status of Ghana’s gas supply contracts?
• Why have supply issues persisted?
• What strategies does the incoming administration have for reducing reliance on liquid fuels?

Concerns Over Procurement Transparency

Simons has also pointed to a lack of transparency in the emergency fuel procurement process. Reports suggest that a fuel contractor, Harry Campbell of Stratcon, secured a supply role without competitive bidding. Campbell has previously faced scrutiny over exaggerated claims about his role in Ghana’s energy market.

These procurement issues raise further concerns:

• Are the emergency supply contracts formally established?
• Do they contain penalties for non-compliance?
• Was the selection process transparent and merit-based?

Understanding Dumsor: A Crisis Beyond Ghana

To a Nigerian audience, “Dumsor” might seem comparable to Nigeria’s long-standing power shortages. The term describes Ghana’s erratic power supply, with outages so frequent and prolonged that they have disrupted businesses and daily life. The crisis peaked between 2012 and 2016, resulting in economic strain and public frustration.

Political Fallout and Policy Challenges

The fuel crisis has triggered political tensions, with the NDC accusing the outgoing New Patriotic Party (NPP) of mismanagement. The NPP has countered by pointing to inherited structural failures. Simons, however, cautions against reducing the crisis to political blame, emphasizing the need for:

• Clear communication with the public.
• Transparent policies to stabilize natural gas supply.
• Efforts to reduce dependency on costly emergency fuels.

The Path Ahead

As the new administration assumes office, Ghana stands at a critical juncture. Preventing a nationwide blackout will require more than short-term fixes. Long-term reforms, such as bolstering natural gas supply chains and curbing politically influenced fuel contracts, are essential.

Ultimately, Simons emphasizes that public accountability and policy transparency are essential for Ghana to break free from the cycle of energy crises and ensure stable electricity for its citizens.

 

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