IERPP Slams Mahama Govt’s Energy & Environment Record

Dr. Nyame Baafi, Senior Fellow at theInstitute of Economic Policy Research and Policy Planning (IERPP) and Senior Lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), has pointed out that the ruling NDC administration led by President John Mahama had recorded a worrying 16.6 percent performance in environmental management and energy reforms during its first 120 days in office.

Addressing journalists at a press conference at the Ghana International Press Centre on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, under the theme “The 120-Days Accountability Showdown: Are We Resetting or Repeating the Past,” Dr. Baafi presented a comprehensive review of the government’s efforts so far.

Dr. Baafi explained that the assessment, conducted by IERPP, reviewed twenty-five key manifesto promises across four thematic areas using verifiable implementation data and a weighted scoring system aligned with international benchmarks for evaluating government performance.

He stressed that Ghana stands at a critical juncture and can no longer afford policy incoherence, reversals, or delays. According to him, the government must stay true to its commitment to protect forest reserves and uphold environmental laws. He emphasized the urgent need for the administration to address the energy crisis through competent leadership and structural reforms, consolidate previous tourism sector gains, and conduct a credible investigation into the Akosombo dam spillage disaster.

2024 reflections

Reflecting on the 2024 general elections, Dr. Baafi recalled that the National Democratic Congress, led by then-flagbearer and now President John Mahama, unveiled a 120-Day Social Contract with the people of Ghana. This document outlined important commitments in sectors including energy, environment, and tourism.

Among them was a pledge to impose a ban on illegal and new mining activities within forest reserves, coupled with initiatives such as the Tree for Life and Blue Water Initiative, which aimed to rehabilitate degraded ecosystems and restore polluted water bodies.

Another promise centered on the launch of the Black Star Experience to revitalize the tourism industry, while a further commitment was made to initiate a comprehensive probe into the Akosombo and Kpong Dam spillage disaster, which displaced thousands and devastated livelihoods across multiple regions.

Energy sector

Dr. Baafi pointed out that the energy sector, one of the most critical pillars of Ghana’s economy, was not explicitly highlighted in the original contract but was subsequently included under the goal of resolving the power crisis.

Unfortunately, he noted, the country continues to grapple with frequent and prolonged power outages, widely referred to as “dumsor,” which threaten economic stability and productivity.

Comparisons

Drawing comparisons to international experiences, he referenced how even advanced economies such as Germany have faced macroeconomic challenges due to high electricity costs, let alone persistent power shortages.

Dr. Baafi underscored that the International Monetary Fund has identified Ghana’s energy sector as a major economic risk. He recounted how, between 2013 and 2015, the government signed numerous power purchase agreements on a take-or-pay basis, saddling the nation with excess capacity charges amounting to nearly one billion dollars annually since 2017.

These financial burdens, he stressed, have diverted much-needed public funds away from essential sectors like healthcare, infrastructure, and education, raising serious concerns about the country’s fiscal sustainability.

Despite assurances from the current Minister for Energy, Dr. Baafi said, the energy crisis persists with severe consequences for businesses, employment, investment, and healthcare delivery.

He warned that without bold reforms and improved efficiency, particularly in the revenue collection efforts of the Electricity Company of Ghana, the country risks falling short of targets under the ongoing IMF program.

While acknowledging that recent tariff increases by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission are intended to support cost recovery, Dr. Baafi criticized the fact that these adjustments effectively transfer inefficiencies from state-owned energy enterprises onto consumers, worsening the already high cost of living.

Environment

On environmental issues, Dr. Baafi expressed disappointment over what he described as a U-turn on the promised ban on illegal and new mining within forest reserves. He indicated that, instead of banning mining, the government is reportedly seeking to amend the legislative framework that allows such activities, a move he condemned as contradictory and dangerous.

He described the environmental damage caused by mining as alarming, citing widespread contamination of water bodies with heavy metals and toxic chemicals, destruction of farmlands, and threats to agricultural productivity. Dr. Baafi stressed that agriculture remains central to Ghana’s economy as the largest employer, a key contributor to GDP, and a primary source of export revenue, making any policy that jeopardizes the sector a direct threat to national stability.

Tourism

Turning to the tourism sector, Dr. Baafi acknowledged the launch of the Black Star Experience as a commendable initiative with the potential to boost domestic economic activity and create jobs. However, he questioned the wisdom of launching a new brand rather than building on the globally recognized “Year of Return”, which had already brought in significant economic benefits.

He further expressed concern that the initiative was launched on the same day that electricity prices surged by over fourteen percent, adding pressure on businesses and threatening the viability of the tourism industry.

The IERPP Senior Fellow also mentioned the government’s unfulfilled promise to conduct a full investigation into the Akosombo and Kpong Dam spillage disaster. He questioned whether the government’s pledge to resettle displaced persons, as announced in the 2025 Budget Statement, had seen any meaningful progress.

He further called on the government to stay true to its commitments, prioritize competent leadership, undertake urgent energy sector reforms, safeguard the environment, consolidate past tourism gains, and ensure transparency and accountability, particularly in addressing the aftermath of the Akosombo disaster.

Dr. Baafi added that Ghanaians deserve better—a government that is transparent, consistent, and accountable, and that places the welfare of its people above political expediency.