In a bid to shed light on the underlying causes of Ghana’s persistent power outages, Hon. Abena Osei-Asare, Member of Parliament for Atiwa East, has made a bold assertion linking the phenomenon of ‘dumsor’ to illegal electricity connections. Her remarks come amid ongoing concerns over the reliability and stability of the country’s power supply, prompting calls for collective action to address energy challenges.
**Background:**
Ghana has grappled with intermittent power outages, locally known as ‘dumsor,’ for several years, posing significant challenges to households, businesses, and the overall economy. While various factors contribute to the problem, including insufficient generation capacity and transmission infrastructure, illegal connections and electricity theft have emerged as significant contributors to the crisis.
**Addressing the Root Causes:**
In a press conference held earlier today, Hon. Abena Osei-Asare drew attention to the detrimental impact of illegal connections on Ghana’s energy sector and urged citizens to change their attitudes towards electricity usage. Citing data from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), she highlighted the prevalence of unauthorized connections in communities across the country and emphasized the need for collective action to combat the problem.
“Illegal connections not only deprive the government of much-needed revenue but also strain the power grid, leading to disruptions in electricity supply for law-abiding citizens,” stated Hon. Osei-Asare. “It is imperative that we address the root causes of ‘dumsor’ by cracking down on illegal connections and promoting responsible electricity usage.”
**Link Between Illegal Connections and ‘Dumsor’:**
Hon. Osei-Asare’s remarks shed light on the direct correlation between illegal electricity connections and the frequency of power outages experienced by Ghanaians. According to experts, unauthorized connections overload the power grid, causing system failures and disruptions in supply. Additionally, electricity theft contributes to financial losses for the government and undermines efforts to maintain a reliable and sustainable energy infrastructure.
“By tackling illegal connections and promoting lawful electricity usage, we can alleviate the strain on the power grid and reduce the incidence of ‘dumsor’ in our communities,” explained Hon. Osei-Asare. “It requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including government agencies, law enforcement, and the public, to address this critical issue.”
**Changing Attitudes Towards Electricity Usage:**
In addition to cracking down on illegal connections, Hon. Osei-Asare emphasized the importance of changing attitudes towards electricity usage and promoting responsible consumption habits. She called on Ghanaians to prioritize energy conservation and efficiency measures, such as using energy-efficient appliances, turning off lights and electronics when not in use, and adopting renewable energy solutions where feasible.
“Each one of us has a role to play in addressing Ghana’s energy challenges,” remarked Hon. Osei-Asare. “By adopting responsible electricity usage practices, we can reduce demand on the power grid and contribute to a more sustainable energy future for our nation.”
**Government Initiatives and Enforcement Measures:**
The government has taken steps to address the issue of illegal connections and electricity theft through various initiatives and enforcement measures. These include public awareness campaigns, community engagement programs, and the deployment of technology-enabled solutions to detect and prevent unauthorized access to electricity.
“Ensuring access to reliable and affordable electricity is a top priority for the government,” stated Hon. Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, Minister of Energy. “We are committed to working with all stakeholders to tackle illegal connections and promote responsible electricity usage for the benefit of all Ghanaians.”
**Conclusion:**
As Ghana grapples with the persistent challenge of ‘dumsor,’ Hon. Abena Osei-Asare’s remarks serve as a timely reminder of the importance of addressing the root causes of the problem. By tackling illegal connections and promoting responsible electricity usage, stakeholders can work together to ensure a more reliable and sustainable energy future for the nation. As Ghanaians unite in their efforts to combat ‘dumsor,’ the collective impact of their actions holds the promise of a brighter tomorrow for all.
story filed by: Nana Kwaku Duah
