Energy Expert Calls for Transparency and Private Sector Participation to Strengthen Ghana’s Power Supply

Energy expert Dr. Joseph Essandor-Yeddu has emphasized the need for transparency, stronger checks and balances, and private sector participation in Ghana’s energy sector to ensure a stable and sustainable power supply.

Speaking on Kessben TV’s Digest show, Dr. Essandor-Yeddu reflected on Ghana’s history of power outages, noting that the country’s prolonged “dumsor” crisis first emerged in 1983 due to reduced water levels at the Akosombo Dam caused by severe dryness.

According to him, the situation was later restored, leading to a period of electricity stability thereafter.

However, growing demand for power in recent years forced Ghana to diversify its energy sources by introducing thermal plants.

He explained that relying solely on hydroelectric power is no longer viable because of climate change, which continues to affect water levels and the reliability of hydro generation.

“Due to the increasing demand, we had to add thermal plants because depending only on hydro-electric supply is risky, especially with climate change affecting water levels,” he stated.

Dr. Essandor-Yeddu, however, noted that thermal energy remains an expensive alternative, stressing that experts have long advocated for the expansion of solar energy solutions.

He revealed that efforts to scale up solar adoption faced resistance, with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) raising concerns that it could negatively affect the company’s revenue streams.

Touching on the recent fire outbreak at the Akosombo transmission station, the energy expert defended the actions of the Minister for Energy, Hon. John Jinapor, regarding the directive for Mark Awuah Baah, the chief executive officer of Ghana Grif Company (GRIDCO) to step aside during investigations into the cause of the fire.

He clarified that the move was not a dismissal but rather a necessary step to allow for an independent and transparent probe into the incident.

“Hon. John Jinapor was right in asking the CEO of GRIDCO to step aside. He was not sacked, but it was important to ensure an independent investigation into the cause of the fire,” he said.

Dr. Essandor-Yeddu further advocated for increased private sector participation in some state institutions, arguing that partnerships could improve efficiency and reduce operational challenges.

He identified transparency as one of Ghana’s biggest challenges across multiple sectors and called for systems that enforce accountability.

“There is the need to build structures that ensure checks and balances to prevent unnecessary leakages in all sections of the economy,” he added.

His remarks come at a time when concerns over Ghana’s power supply reliability and energy sector management continue to dominate national discussions.