Residents in various parts of Accra are voicing frustrations over frequent and unannounced power outages locally known as 'dumsor' affecting both residential life and businesses.
Areas like Oshiye, Bortianor, Dansoman, Teshie, Madina, and Mataheko have been hit particularly hard.
According to the Daily Graphic, many residents, such as Abena Gyan from Oshiye, report that these outages have been ongoing for over two months, with recent incidents lasting up to two hours at a time. Business owners and individuals say the outages are disrupting essential activities, especially during critical hours on weekends and evenings.
The power disruptions have left residents struggling to plan their days, with some experiencing outages for up to 12 hours. Hannah Asamoah from Sarpeiman shared that last Sunday, her area experienced a blackout from morning until evening, preventing her from handling both business and household tasks.
When she reached out to the local Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) office, she was informed that ongoing maintenance work was to blame. Many residents, however, feel left in the dark, with no clear explanations from authorities.
Sources close to the Ministry of Energy reveal that commercial issues have disrupted the gas supply to Independent Power Producers (IPPs), leading to reduced energy output. The ministry has yet to officially address these concerns, although sources indicate that Ghana owes $400 million to Eni, a primary gas supplier.
This debt, coupled with an ongoing payment shortfall to other IPPs, has worsened the situation. The lack of a stable gas supply is now affecting the ability to meet local electricity demand, sparking fears that outages may persist.
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Business owners and individuals say the outages are disrupting essential activities