Ghanaians react to 3 weeks dumsor announcement

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) have announced that customers should expect intermittent power outages for the next three weeks. This comes after a gas supplier in Nigeria began maintenance work, reducing gas supply to Ghana through the West Africa Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo).

According to a joint statement, the maintenance work started on June 12, 2024, and is expected to last for three weeks. The reduction in gas supply has already caused power interruptions in some areas, and the companies warn that this may continue due to reduced power generation capacity.

ECG and GRIDCo have apologized for the inconvenience and assured the public that they are working with other stakeholders to minimize the impact of the gas supply reduction on consumers.

However, many Ghanaians are not taking the news lightly. On social media, some have expressed frustration and skepticism, with one user saying, “Since you guys are owing Nigeria, this is what will happen. After, you’ll come and increase our electricity bills. God is watching us from a distance.”

Another user asked, “I want to ask, does it mean there is no backup? All along, you were using a direct pipeline, eiii.” Some have also mocked the situation, with one user saying, “No problem… as you are unable to give us stable power to work with… don’t come to our houses or workplaces with that your plier and screwdriver… cos it might be something else.”

Some users have also expressed surprise that Ghana relies on Nigeria for electricity, with one user saying, “I now understand when Nigerians say they supply electricity to Ghana. Welcome, Nigeria. Because of una, I no get light today.”

Others have questioned the timing of the maintenance work, with one user saying, “It’s a big lie that you’re owing Nigerians, that’s why there’s a shortage in supplying gas to us.”

Amidst the backlash, some users have called for a timetable to be provided, saying, “A timetable will do.”

The power outage has already caused inconvenience for many Ghanaians, and the reactions on social media reflect the frustration and skepticism of many who are tired of frequent power outages and lack of reliable electricity supply.