Keep the lights on, you’re in charge now – Krapa

Former Minister for Energy, Herbert Krapa has dismissed claims of impending load shedding in Ghana, urging the newly elected NDC government to focus on managing the power sector effectively instead of blaming the previous administration.

Reacting to comments made by the Co-Chairman of the Transition Team sub-committee on Energy and Natural Resources, John Jinapor, Mr Krapa refuted allegations that Ghana’s fuel stock is dangerously low, threatening massive power outages.

“Mr. Jinapor is wrong. Load shedding does not ‘loom.’ It is caused either by technical or emergency power generation issues or a lack of competence in managing the power sector. Mr. Jinapor seems to be haunted clearly by the latter,” Krapa said in his statement.

Mr. Jinapor, in an interview on Tuesday, January 7, accused the Akufo-Addo-led administration of leaving the power sector in crisis, which he claimed could lead to load shedding. He said the country has only five hours worth of fuel left for power generation.

Mr. Krapa stressed that before leaving office, the Akufo-Addo administration ensured a reliable stock of fuel to power key plants.

He said by the time of leaving office, President Akufo-Addo’s government left in stock, light crude oil which Cenpower currently generates power with, whilst AKSA continues to take delivery of heavy fuel oil which it generates power with.

He further emphasized that maintaining a stable electricity supply now lies squarely in the hands of the new government.

“The responsibility of the new administration is to not only procure more liquid fuel to keep the lights on whenever liquid fuel becomes required to complement gas supply but also to plan competently to avert power supply disruptions. We did it, and they can do it too if they can.”

He called on the NDC government to avoid “needless finger-pointing” and instead focus on practical solutions. “The NDC government should get to work as we did, the reason we kept the lights on for eight years, regardless of the difficult times,” Krapa said.