Proceedings at the Supreme Court were disrupted twice today due to unexpected power outages, commonly known as “dumsor.” The interruptions, which occurred during a high-profile case, have raised concerns about the stability of the power supply even in critical government institutions.
The first outage struck in the late morning, just as arguments were being presented in a significant electoral case. The courtroom was plunged into darkness, and proceedings were halted for nearly 30 minutes while backup generators were activated. Court officials and attendees were visibly frustrated, and the interruption caused a considerable delay in the day’s schedule.
Just a few hours later, another blackout occurred, compounding the frustrations of those present. This second outage lasted for approximately 20 minutes before power was restored. Both incidents have drawn attention to the ongoing issues with Ghana’s power infrastructure and its impact on essential services.
Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah expressed his concerns about the disruptions, emphasizing the need for reliable power in the judiciary. “The integrity of our judicial process depends on uninterrupted proceedings. These power outages are unacceptable and must be addressed immediately,” he said. He called for an urgent review of the power supply arrangements for the Supreme Court to prevent future occurrences.
The power outages have sparked a broader conversation about the persistent issue of dumsor in Ghana. Despite various government efforts and investments in the energy sector, the problem continues to affect businesses, homes, and now, even the highest court in the land.
Opposition parties have seized upon the incident to criticize the government’s handling of the energy crisis. In a statement, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) highlighted the outages as evidence of the current administration’s failure to provide stable and reliable electricity. “Today’s events at the Supreme Court underscore the ongoing challenges in our energy sector. It is clear that the government has not done enough to resolve dumsor,” the statement read.
Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh responded to the criticism, acknowledging the outages and promising swift action. “We are aware of the power interruptions that occurred today at the Supreme Court and are investigating the causes. We are committed to ensuring that such disruptions do not happen again,” he said. Dr. Prempeh also mentioned ongoing projects aimed at upgrading the national grid and increasing power generation capacity.
Civil society organizations have also weighed in, calling for more transparency and accountability in the management of the energy sector. “The recurrence of dumsor, especially in critical institutions like the Supreme Court, highlights the need for a comprehensive and sustainable solution to our power problems,” said Nana Asantewaa, a spokesperson for the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana).
As the nation continues to grapple with the challenges of providing consistent power, today’s events at the Supreme Court serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for effective solutions. The judiciary, like all sectors of society, requires a dependable energy supply to function effectively and uphold the principles of justice and fairness.
The government’s response and subsequent actions will be closely monitored by both the public and stakeholders as Ghana seeks to overcome its persistent power challenges.
story filed by: Nana kwaku Duah
