Kofi Bentil, Senior Vice-President of IMANI Africa, has strongly criticised Ghana’s authorities for what he terms “insincere” communication surrounding the nation’s persistent power outages. Speaking on Newsfile on Saturday, May 2nd, Bentil argued that the ongoing energy challenges are not merely technical issues but are significantly exacerbated by unreliable public messaging.
Context of Ghana’s Energy Sector
Ghana has a history of intermittent power supply, often referred to locally as ‘dumsor’. These outages have frequently disrupted businesses and daily life, leading to public frustration and demands for lasting solutions. The energy sector in Ghana is complex, involving multiple state-owned entities and private players, and is often intertwined with political cycles.
Communication and Political Interference Highlighted
Bentil asserted that the energy sector is inherently political and requires careful, responsible management of both policy and public messaging. He stated that while politics is unavoidable in such a critical sector, it should not compromise long-term stability.
He observed a recurring pattern in Ghana’s power challenges, suggesting that fundamental systemic issues remain unaddressed. Despite these systemic problems, Bentil expressed faith in the technical capabilities of engineers at the Volta River Authority (VRA).
“The engineers at VRA have proven that if you leave them alone and provide the right leadership, there is almost nothing they cannot do,” Bentil remarked. He believes that these engineers consistently deliver results when granted independence and effective leadership.
The IMANI Africa executive attributed the country’s persistent power difficulties primarily to political interference rather than a deficiency in technical expertise. He argued that decision-making in the sector is often swayed by competing interests and financial motivations.
“The biggest problem with our energy sector is that it has suffered political interference, not leadership,” he contended. Bentil further maintained that Ghana’s energy needs are manageable given its size and structure. He pointed to entrenched interests within the sector as a significant impediment to progress.
“There’s been too much political interference, and there’s too much money in that sector; it is messing with us,” he added, highlighting the substantial financial flows within the energy industry as a source of complication.
Call for Rational Elite Consensus
Bentil called for a “rational elite consensus” on critical national issues like energy. He believes that a unified and depoliticised approach would help prioritise long-term national interests over short-term political or financial gains.
He also pointed to recent positive developments within the VRA as a potential model for broader reforms across the entire energy sector. Bentil insisted that with the right systems and leadership, Ghana could significantly reduce prolonged power outages.
He suggested that it is achievable to ensure that power disruptions do not exceed 48 hours, indicating a belief in the country’s capacity to manage its power supply more effectively if systemic issues are addressed.
Implications and Future Watch
Bentil’s remarks underscore a critical need for transparency and accountability in Ghana’s energy sector. The focus on political interference and insincere communication suggests that structural reforms are paramount. If Ghana can foster a depoliticised approach and empower technical bodies like the VRA with the necessary independence and leadership, the recurring power challenges might be mitigated. Stakeholders will be watching closely to see if policy-makers heed these calls for a more rational and stable approach to energy management, potentially paving the way for more reliable power supply and economic stability.
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