Mahama sets new date to end energy crisis

Ghanaians will heave a sigh of relief in the energy sector in the coming days if the Aboadzi Thermal Plant completes its maintenance work.

Meanwhile, President John Mahama who gave the assurance at the May Day Parade in Accra, reiterated government's position to fix the energy crisis by the end of the year.

He said the current challenge faced by the power sector is purely technical rather than financial.

President Mahama said due to the shutdown of the Atuabo gas plant, TICO and TAPCO are running on crude.

President Mahama said the distribution of ten thousand sandals to school children will start next week and mentioned other projects embarked upon by the government, adding that these are visible signs that the government is on course.

In his address, the Secretary-General of TUC, Kofi Asamoah has called on government to do everything possible to end the energy crisis. He said the crisis has become the greatest threat to economic and social survival.

Mr. Asamoah said although the President has promised to fix the energy crisis, the solution is taking too long.

He said what started three years ago as energy crisis is turning to a severe economic crisis. Mr. Asamoah said in the government’s quest to explore other sources of power, there should be value for money.

The TUC Secretary-General said privatisation of ECG will not be necessary if government and individuals pay their bills. He was of the view that privatisation of the ECG will not address the energy crisis.

The TUC boss also spoke about sanitation, which according to him, is worse than the energy crisis.

He said poor sanitation has claimed the lives of many Ghanaians and commended the Local Government Ministry for instituting the National Sanitation Day.

He also appealed to the President not to approve any deal that could lead to the privatisation of ADB.

Mr. Kofi Asamoah appealed to the government to withdraw the case over the three-tier pension scheme from court.

He said labour issues should not be resolved through the Court.

The TUC Secretary General warned that Labour Unions will resist any measures linked to the IMF bailout which will disadvantage workers insisting that the bailout will not solve the nation’s economic problems.