‘Dumsor’ can cost NDC 2016 elections – Anyidoho

A deputy General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho has expressed fears the erratic power supply in the country can cost the party the 2016 elections.

According to him, regardless of the performance of the government prior to the elections, the power situation will be a major setback for the party if not resolved.

Ghana is currently shedding between 440 and 650 Megawatts of power during off-peak and peak periods as a result of a production deficit.

The production shortfall has come about due to poor hydrology of the three main hydro-electric power stations – Akosombo, Bui and Kpong – as well as lack of gas from the West Africa Gas Pipeline in Nigeria to supply gas to various thermal plants in the country.

As a result, both domestic and commercial consumers are bearing the brunt of the crisis, which Power Minister Dr Kwabena Donkor recently promised will end by December 2015.

Contributing to a panel discussion on the energy situation in the country on Joy FM Thursday, the former Presidential spokesperson said the current power situation is a major worry for the NDC.

“Nobody is sleeping over this energy problem because people are suffering.

“ Do you know the damage that this thing (Erratic power supply) is causing? ….It is a real thing and not a political issue at all”.

Anyidoho noted that the erratic power situation will be a major “hurdle” for the ruling party if it is not fixed before the elections.