As Ghana continues to grapple with its power challenges, particularly the infamous dumsor (power outages) crisis, Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, a key member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has offered a deeper understanding of how previous administrations, particularly that of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, addressed the nation’s energy issues.
In a conversation on Angel FM, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu shared historical insights into the evolution of Ghana’s power generation, offering a nuanced perspective on the progress and setbacks experienced by the country.
Speaking candidly about Ghana’s energy history, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu took time to commend the foundational work laid by key figures in the country’s power sector.
He noted that Ghana’s reliance on gas for electricity production was a major characteristic of the country’s early power generation efforts. However, it was Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s visionary leadership that turned the tide.
“Nkrumah’s vision led to the establishment of the Akosombo Dam, which at its peak, generated 950 megawatts of power, a major step forward for the country,” he said. According to Mensah Bonsu, Nkrumah’s contribution provided Ghana with a reliable energy source that powered both homes and industries for decades.
However, it was not just Nkrumah who contributed to the national power grid. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu also credited former military leader General Kutu Acheampong for his role in diversifying the country’s energy sources.
“Under Acheampong, Ghana incorporated pond power generation into the grid. This move was significant in expanding the national power supply,” he explained. The diversification of power generation was critical as it not only increased the overall supply but also mitigated potential risks from over-reliance on a single source.
Moving to more recent history, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu praised former President John Agyekum Kufuor for his transformative impact on Ghana’s power sector, particularly with the development of the Bui Power Dam. He emphasized the importance of Kufuor’s decision to upgrade the turbine blades at Bui, which increased the dam’s generation capacity.
“Kufuor introduced the Bui Power Dam, and by upgrading the turbine blades to larger ones, he was able to significantly boost the megawatt capacity of the country’s power generation,” Mensah Bonsu said. For Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, these were monumental achievements that laid the groundwork for a stable power supply in Ghana.
Despite these advancements, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu did not hold back his criticism of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its leadership during the dumsor crisis that severely impacted Ghanaian businesses and households.
Reflecting on the history of Ghana’s power challenges, he pointed out that the power crisis occurred during the tenure of the NDC, despite the significant strides made under the previous NPP administration. “Given the foundation laid by President Kufuor, there was absolutely no justification for the NDC to lead Ghana into the power turmoil we witnessed,” he lamented.
