Dumsor: This gov’t plans to pass a debt of almost $2bn to the next NDC gov’t – John Mahama
Former President and current presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has made a serious allegation against the Akufo-Addo administration. Speaking at a recent campaign event, Mahama claimed that the current government is preparing to pass a debt of nearly $2 billion in the energy sector onto the next NDC administration. He further suggested that the government’s handling of the debt could lead to a return of the dreaded “dumsor” (power outages) under his future administration.
According to Mahama, the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration is “holding on small, small” to manage the current power sector debt but lacks a long-term solution. “What they are doing is to hold on small, small… the dumsor that they have brought, this different dumsor that they have brought, they want to push it to the NDC,” Mahama stated, highlighting his belief that the current government is merely delaying an inevitable crisis.
Mahama went on to detail the severity of the financial burden. “As I am speaking to you, now the equipment from abroad that generates power, the amount of money we owe them is getting to 2 billion dollars—it is not cedis, almost 2 billion dollars is what they are owing,” he explained. This debt, he argued, is hampering Ghana’s ability to finance and import essential power-generation equipment, ultimately risking the stability of the country’s energy supply.
The former president expressed concerns that the financial strain in the energy sector would lead to challenges for the incoming NDC government if elected. He suggested that the current administration’s plan is to manage the debt incrementally until January 7, 2025, when a new government could inherit the debt and, consequently, a worsened energy crisis.
Despite these accusations, Mahama assured Ghanaians that his party is committed to resolving the nation’s energy challenges. “I will tell Ghanaians not to lose hope. NDC are truthful people, and when we come into office, we will inform Ghanaians what is available. We have the men and women who can work, repair, and fix it for Ghanaians to have peace of mind,” Mahama declared, highlighting his confidence in the expertise within the NDC to address the energy crisis.
The former president’s remarks come at a critical time, with energy concerns a key issue for many Ghanaians. As the 2024 elections approach, the handling of energy sector debt and power stability will likely remain a central focus, particularly as Mahama and the NDC seek to reassure Ghanaians that they have a plan to prevent a return to dumsor.
