Kumasi narrowly avoided widespread power cuts during 2024, according to Hamza Suhuyini, a member of the NDC Communications Team. He credits the Ameri power plant, installed under the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, for preventing this crisis.
Mr. Suhuyini stated on Joy Prime that the current New Patriotic Party (NPP) government relies on infrastructure built by the NDC. He suggested that swift action was taken in Kumasi before the election period to avoid public discontent. "Without Ameri, Kumasi would have gone through the whole of 2024 with intense power outages, but thanks to the investment architecture that was built under the NDC regime, they were able to rely on that," he explained.
This claim places the Ameri plant, a 250-megawatt facility brought online in 2015, at the center of Ghana's energy security narrative. The NDC argues that its proactive investments, including the Ameri plant's build-own-operate-transfer agreement, laid the groundwork for recent stability. The NPP, conversely, has often highlighted improvements in the energy sector during its tenure.
Mr. Suhuyini also addressed the financial health of the energy sector. He pointed to the Energy Sector Levies Act (ESLA) as a crucial initiative introduced by the NDC to tackle debt and liquidity issues. He then accused the NPP government of mismanaging the funds collected through ESLA. "They collateralised it and got in excess of about GH₵10 billion, and only succeeded in using less than GH₵4 billion or so to pay BDCs. Where did the rest go?" he questioned.
The NDC's argument suggests that the current relative stability in power supply is not new but a continuation of prior strategic planning. They contend that the NPP has benefited from these past investments without adequately acknowledging them. The effective use and management of funds like those from ESLA are critical for the sustained viability of Ghana's energy infrastructure.
The implications of these statements revolve around accountability for energy sector performance and financial stewardship. The opposition's critique challenges the ruling party's narrative on energy infrastructure development. Investors and the public will monitor how energy sector revenues are utilized and how future capacity needs are met. The performance of the energy sector directly impacts economic activity and investor confidence in Ghana.