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Dumsor: Government should be truthful to Ghanaians – Della Sowah
Member of Parliament for Kpando in the Volta Region, and Deputy Ranking member of the Mines and Energy Committee in Parliament Della Sowah has charged the Nana Akufo-Addo led government to be truthful to Ghanaians on the recent power outages popularly referred to as Dumsor.
According to her, the dishonesty of government in admitting there is dumsor is causing a lot of harm to individuals and businesses.
Speaking to a section of the media, she said the admission on the part of the government would have led to a publication of a timetable to enable Ghanaians to plan their activities.
However, Della Sowah said the political propaganda by the New Patriotic Party during former President Mahama’s reign when the country encountered some challenges in the energy sector, is the reason the government is shy of admitting same.
According to her, the erstwhile Mahama administration put in place prudent and efficient policy measures to ensure Dumsor was a thing of the past with the vision of making Ghana an energy distribution hub in West Africa.
She noted that as a result, measures like 800MW of power was supplemented to the national grid, the 220MW from the Karpower barge also injected to the grid, and the Africa and Asia Middle East Resources and Investment (AMERI) emergency power plant supplying 250MW were put in place.
Della Sowah reiterated that the Mahama administration resolved all generation issues bringing total generation to 5000MW, adding that Ghana’s peak demand is about 3,200MW.
“Financial mismanagement is to blame. How can ECG under Mahama in 2016 make a profit of over 500 million Ghana cedis and in 2017 that profit was completely eroded, plunging ECG into debt to the tune of over 500 million Ghana cedis,” she said.
She said, today ECG is indebted to GRIDCO alone to the tune of over 1billion cedis.
For this reason, she said only bad management would send the country back to the days of DUMSOR with all these investment in the sector.
Della Sowah further told the government to put a stop to the excuses, admit the reality and be truthful to Ghanaians.
“Don’t shy away from dumsor, admit and give us a timetable to enable us plan our lives and businesses,” she said.
Recent power issues in the country continue to be a major challenge for most Ghanaians despite the government’s assurance of constant electricity supply.
This notwithstanding, the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) has reiterated that the situation is not being caused by generation challenges but rather, ongoing maintenance and repair works on a number of its equipment and plants.
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Govt urged to provide safe, supportive environment for menstruating girls
The government has been urged to take urgent steps toward providing a safe and supportive environment for menstruating girls to ensure proper personal hygiene and promote school attendance.
Sarah Nkansah Boateng, a midwife at the Eastern Regional Hospital made the call during a forum organised as part of activities to observe Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration in the New Juaben North Municipality of the Eastern Region.
The event was held under the theme “Together for a Period-Friendly World.”
She noted that many girls skip school during their menstrual periods due to a lack of access to sanitary products and appropriate spaces to change them.
“The basic necessities for these girls are not being provided; creating a safe and enabling environment is crucial,” Madam Boateng emphasized.
She called on school authorities and policymakers to prioritise the construction of hygienic and private changing spaces in schools.
She further appealed for a collective effort to address menstrual health challenges affecting girls in the community.
The New Juaben North Municipal Director of Health Services, Nana Yaa Konadu, also highlighted her office’s initiatives in both school-based and community clinics to educate young girls on menstrual hygiene.
She stressed the health implications of poor menstrual hygiene, saying, “When girls lack access to sanitary pads and a clean environment, it can negatively impact their reproductive health.”
Madam Konadu warned that the absence of menstrual hygiene facilities and products left some girls vulnerable to exploitation, increasing the risk of teenage pregnancy.
The Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben North, Mr Samuel Adongo, described menstruation as a natural biological process and not a taboo or burden.
He expressed concern over the poor state of sanitation facilities in schools.
“I have visited almost all public schools in the municipality, and none has a proper, standard toilet facility suitable for girls,” he stated.
Mr Adongo assured that the assembly would work to create an enabling environment to reduce school absenteeism related to menstruation.
“Too many girls are missing school because of their menstrual cycle, and this is unacceptable,” he added.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
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Akwesi Agyeman, Ekpe vow to lead GJA to ‘era of purpose and professionalism’
As the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) prepares for its national elections, two of the key contenders, General Secretary Aspirant Akwasi Agyeman and Vice Presidential hopeful Rebecca Ekpe have called for a return to ethical journalism, stronger mentorship and institutional reforms.
They both made the remarks during separate visits to The Spectator and The Ghanaian Times, respectively to solicit for votes.
Akwasi Agyeman, an Editor with Multimedia is seeking to lead the association into what he calls a “new era of purpose and professionalism.”
He stressed the urgent need to reposition the GJA as a strong and relevant voice in national affairs.
“We cannot continue with business as usual. The GJA must be visible, active, and fearless in advocating for the rights and welfare of journalists,” he said during a meeting with media practitioners in Accra.
Mr. Agyeman noted that his leadership will focus on building partnerships, improving member services, and restoring the dignity of the Association. “We need to rekindle the spirit of solidarity within the GJA and provide real value to members, especially the younger generation,” he added.
Ms Rebecca Ekpe, a respected Broadcast Journalist and Editor, echoed similar sentiments in her call for mentorship and capacity building.
“I discovered through my journey that journalism is not just my job, it is who I am. My path in journalism was shaped by my seniors in the newsroom, and now I feel called to give back,” she said.
Ms Ekpe envisions a GJA where senior journalists regularly engage with young professionals through face-to-face mentoring and training platforms. “Even if you attend a session and pick just one idea, it could change the course of your career,” she remarked.
She also raised concerns about the rise of misinformation and the blurred lines between journalism and social media content creation. “People sit online insulting others and call themselves journalists. When they are attacked, GJA defends them, but we must ask: are they truly journalists? We must protect the integrity of our profession,” she stressed.
The Editor of The Spectator, Mrs Georgina N.M Quaittoo wished them well in their campaigns and quest to serve the GJA.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
