Former Head of Public Affairs at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Fiifi Boafo, has delivered a scathing critique of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration regarding the persistent power outages plaguing the nation. In a recent interview with JoyNews’ AM Show, Boafo asserts that the NDC’s management of the power sector has been demonstrably ineffective, raising serious concerns about public confidence and the nation’s stability.
According to Boafo, the recurrent disruptions in electricity supply, particularly since the change of government in 2024, are creating considerable anxiety among Ghanaians. He specifically points to the impact on daily life and economic activity, arguing that the NDC’s administration is failing to adequately manage the sector. He recalled a conversation with a 15-year-old boy, stating that the young man expressed a profound concern about President John Dramani Mahama returning to power, reflecting a widespread anxiety among the populace regarding the possibility of ongoing challenges.
BoBoa further questioned the effectiveness of measures implemented to bolster the electricity sector, particularly the increased levy on fuel consumers. He contends that the government’s explanation for these levies – a necessary measure to ensure a stable supply – has been insufficient, suggesting that recent outages demonstrate a lack of demonstrable results. ‘We are paying,’ he emphasized, ‘the essence of that payment is to ensure we have stable supply of power. Are we getting the same?’
Furthermore, Boafo voiced concerns about the government’s lack of reassurance regarding the long-term solution to the problem. He compared the situation to a football match, suggesting that the NDC’s actions lack the inspiring quality necessary to solve the nation’s problems. ‘They are giving us reasons, excuses here and there,’ he stated. ‘But there is nothing about the NDC that gives me the confidence that they are in a position to solve their problems.’
Mr. Boafo also highlighted the extensive impact of power outages, extending beyond just households. He illustrated how these outages affect a wide range of sectors – students unable to study, hairdressers unable to work, and welders unable to operate their businesses. He noted the effect on media organizations, particularly those reliant on generators to remain operational, highlighting the potential for prolonged outages to impede information dissemination and restrict citizens’ access to crucial news.
He further pointed to the impact on the public’s confidence in the government’s capacity to address the challenges. BoBoa cited the fact that the government’s explanations for the outages were inadequate and failed to instill confidence in the public. He underscored the situation as a reflection of a failure to effectively manage the power sector, implying that the NDC administration’s current approach is unlikely to lead to permanent resolution of the issues.
The Supreme Court has dismissed a Kojo Oppong Nkrumah’s application seeking to halt legal vacation trials, further underscoring the challenges facing the legal system within Ghana.
According to Boafo, the government’s responses to the outages have been insufficient, failing to provide a credible plan for the future. He urged the government to demonstrate greater competence and confidence, urging the public to believe that when in power, it is not going to do so all the time. He concluded by stressing the importance of demonstrating a proactive approach to managing the power sector, emphasizing the need for the government to take decisive action to guarantee the stability of electricity supply for the benefit of all Ghanaians.”
**Sources:**
* JoyNews’ AM Show transcript
* Fiifi Boafo’s statements and interviews
* Ghanaian news outlets and reports
* Official statements from the NDC government
Source: Adom Online
