Akufo-Addo or Mahama: Dumsor divides Ghanaians on social media over who to blame

The resurgence of erratic power cuts across parts of the country has ignited widespread debate on social media, particularly on X and Facebook.

Ghanaians remain divided over which administration, the former New Patriotic Party-led government or the current administration under President John Dramani Mahama—should be held accountable for the recurring blackouts, commonly referred to as dumsor.

While some critics attribute the situation to the current government, others argue that the previous administration is to blame.

Those holding the ruling government responsible contend that since the ongoing power cuts are occurring under its tenure, it must be accountable for resolving the crisis.

They argue that, upon assuming office, the government took full responsibility for national affairs, including power supply. Furthermore, they recall the president’s earlier assertion that his administration had averted a looming power crisis, contradicting the current reality.

Conversely, those blaming the former government assert that the current administration has been in power for only a few months and, therefore, cannot be solely responsible for the crisis.

They argue that the previous government had ample time to address the power challenges but failed, ultimately passing the burden onto the new administration.

Additionally, they claim that, anticipating electoral defeat in 2024, the former government deliberately left the power crisis unresolved, potentially setting up the new administration to take the blame from the public.

Meanwhile, concerned citizens have called on the government to resolve and address the dumsor issues to avert any impending crisis.

Read some of the posts below:

You all watched Nana Addo and his cronies destroy the country and your party for 8 solid years but stupidly expecting JM to solve same problems within a month. As for the Dumsor if you know you can’t cope, migrate to the nearest country until JM gets it solved as he promised.

— Muhammad Yaasiin (@Hajjyass70) February 16, 2025

Dumsor has been ongoing since last year, but somehow it's being blamed on Mahama, who has only been in office for a month??

And he's expected to solve it asap??Wow, Mahama the magician!😅

— 𝓗𝓛 𝓔𝓭𝓲💕 (@edinam_ea) February 16, 2025

Honestly it’ll be praising NPP to think “they knew will lose” so they sabotaged JM to make sure Dumsor will happen.

Be realistic. Dumsor was a problem solved by 2016-2017. It took extreme incompetence and waste by the NPP over years to return to this power debt and dumsor.

— Seth Doe Esq (@seth_doe22) February 16, 2025

Alright, the lights are back. When the lights go off again, I will be here to step on necks! If you claim to have averted the looming threat of Dumsor, let it reflect in our homes. Otherwise, all be chochochocho

— Kwadwo Sheldon (@kwadwosheldon) February 16, 2025

We were sitting out somewhere when the President came to tell us that they had averted the looming threat of Dumsor. Nobody forced President Mahama to say that, so if we are still experiencing duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm-sor, he should come and explain to us how he…

— Kwadwo Sheldon (@kwadwosheldon) February 16, 2025

Most at times, NDC tries to find solutions to Ghana’s problems. NPP pretends there’s no problem and utilizes the little resources to make Ghanaians smile today while forever doom awaits tomorrow.

This is a scenario of how both parties handle the DUMSOR menace differently.

— 🇬🇭god Amongst Men (@officiallordy) February 16, 2025

I can't believe the past gov’t who used #Dumsor to win an election couldn't solve it for 8 years. How? The same people are here doing propaganda with it.

Any wise person won't take them seriously cos you've been in power for 8 years and you couldn't solve it.

President John…

— EL-DAD (@ChristDeKing) February 16, 2025

They knew they’d lose. They sabotaged JM with this dumsor. They made sure when JM comes the dumsor will be in full force!

— Ɔkɔdeɛ (@KwekuPsy) February 16, 2025

Dumsor will take the NDC to its early grave. What is this? The NPP didn't have it all, but they really tried with the power MANAGEMENT!

Don't let us start the demonstrations, please #KeepTheLightsOn!

— Fandoh 🇬🇭 (@fandohx) February 15, 2025

There’s no doubt that the previous administration’s mismanagement of the power sector is responsible for the ongoing dumsor. I’ve documented many instances of that mismanagement on my timeline.

But as a consumer, all you want is reliable electricity—and if that’s not possible,…

— Alfred (@CallmeAlfredo) February 16, 2025