The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, has urged the Energy Ministry and relevant agencies to enhance communication regarding power outages in the region to keep the public informed.
Speaking during a visit by the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr. Amoakohene emphasized the need for transparency in addressing the ongoing power supply challenges.
He noted that while various reasons have been cited for the outages including technical faults and alleged sabotage poor communication has been a major concern.
He stressed that providing timely updates on planned maintenance and other power-related issues would help residents and businesses plan accordingly.
“The lack of communication between power providers and the public has been a significant issue. People wake up to power cuts without prior notice, which affects their daily activities and damages electrical appliances. If maintenance is scheduled, the public should be informed in advance to avoid unnecessary inconvenience,” Dr. Amoakohene stated.
He also raised concerns about the erratic nature of the power supply, noting that in some areas, electricity goes off for a few minutes and returns abruptly, causing damage to electrical appliances.
He called for measures to ensure that faults are properly fixed before power is restored.
The Regional Minister welcomed the Energy Minister’s visit and assured him of the region’s support in addressing the power crisis.
He also emphasized the importance of restoring stability to the energy sector to sustain economic activities in the region.
Energy Minister assures Ashanti Region of Improved Power Supply
In response, Energy Minister John Jinapor acknowledged the challenges and assured residents of efforts to stabilize the power supply.
He explained that the country had been shedding about 750 megawatts of power as of December 2024 due to supply constraints.
However, he emphasized that the government is committed to resolving the issue and ensuring a steady electricity supply, particularly in Kumasi and other parts of the Ashanti Region.
“We recognize that the power situation has been unstable, and we are taking measures to address it. Steps are being taken to reinforce power generation and improve the transmission system to prevent future disruptions,” he said.
The minister disclosed plans to relocate some power generation facilities to Kumasi to strengthen the region’s energy resilience.
He added that additional power plants would be set up in the Ashanti Region to enhance supply reliability.
Mr. Jinapor reassured residents that the government is working diligently to resolve the crisis, calling for patience as technical teams work to restore stable electricity.
“We are determined to stabilize power supply, especially in Kumasi. The necessary interventions are being made to ensure that the Ashanti Region benefits from improved energy security,” he assured.
The visit comes amid growing concerns over frequent power outages in the region, which have affected businesses and households. The government’s intervention is expected to bring much-needed relief to residents.