The African Center for Energy Policy (ACEP) has said that the most pressing problem of the Ghanaian today is power insecurity.
According to the center, the problem is worsened by the lack of medium to long term policies to deal with deficit.
[contextly_sidebar id=”7IImDYnlca0eiUjwKo46SJyMUvhTpq75″]Speaking at a Citizen Energy Manifesto campaign in Takoradi dubbed “Citizen Agenda for Energy Sector Development” in the Western Region, the Executive Director of ACEP, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam explained that “the serious challenge our country is faced with today is energy. As a result of lack of gas, most of our power plants are lying idle. Others are producing below capacity. Gas is not coming from Nigeria.”
“Our own indigenous gas is not sufficient. Meanwhile, in the medium to long term, Ghana will need up to 500 million standard cubic feet of gas every day to add to the gas we are getting from Jubilee, what we will get from TEN and that of Sankofa,” he added.
But currently, apart from Jubilee Field sporadically producing gas, supplies from Nigeria through the West African gas Pipeline has also been erratic due to ‘sabotage’ and Ghana government’s indebtedness to the company.
“This means that we have to get the right medium to long term plan in order to end this power insecurity, else very soon we will head for another power crisis as a result of lack of fuel”. Dr. Amin stated.
Dr. Amin reiterated the center’s position that the current load management has been caused by lack of sufficient supply of fuel to power the plants.
“This is why we at ACEP think that, the people who have been feeling the pinch of the policies from Nkrumah’s time must have a say and the opportunity to speak out their ideas on why politicians should look at either short term solutions or the medium to long term ones”.
He charged all citizens and other organizations to encourage issue based campaigning and discourage statements and comments that could mar the stability of the country.
He concluded saying that “as we at ACEP are going round seeking your views on how the petroleum and power sector can be revolutionized, we would have been happier if other CSOs are also focusing on Agric, economy and other areas to get issues of concerning to the Ghanaian. This will help drive the political party’s manifestos to be one that is based on issues and devoid of personal attacks and unsavory comments.”
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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana