Ministry of Energy blasts John Jinapor; accuses him of signing expensive PPAs

The Ministry of Energy is angry over what it described as a deliberate attempt by the former deputy Minister of Power, John Jinapor, to throw dust into the eyes of Ghanaians so that they will not appreciate the sterling performance of the government in the energy sector.

“It is obvious that John Mahama and his appointees, realizing that the achievements of the Akufo Addo administration, after just 22 months have dwarfed the more than 8 years of their administration, are now only attempting to raise red herrings and tangentials. We serve notice that we will no longer allow propaganda to continue,” the Ministry said in a statement signed by the Head of Communications and Public Affairs Nana Kofi Damoah.

He could not fathom how a deputy minister who supervised the signing of reckless and outrageous Power Purchase Agreement would turn round and be accusing the current government which has reduced electricity tariffs and stabilized power over the last 22 months in government.

“It is interesting that after signing over 26 thermal Power Purchase Agreements (PPA’s) which would have resulted in capacity charges of over $17.2 billion over the agreement’s period, Mr. Jinapor ignores that huge elephant in the room and is seeking to raise his own set of issues. Mr. Jinapor should explain to the people of Ghana the rationale for signing all the take-or-pay PPA’s during his tenure at the Ministry of Energy.”

The statement accused John Jinapor of playing very critical roles in the signing of the numerous and expensive PPA’s which ultimately led to astronomical increases in electricity tariffs.

It noted that the good people of Ghana are demanding explanations for such gross incompetence displayed by John Jinapor during the Mahama administration.

“The careless abandon with which the John Mahama administration failed to put in place the necessary measures to utilize ENI gas has not been forgotten by the people of Ghana. The competent approach with which the Akufo-Addo government is silently managing the huge mess left by the likes of John Jinapor is noteworthy,” the statement said.

Mr. Jinapor is showing the wisdom in the words of the president when he addressed the nation at his first State of the Nation Address.

The president minced no words when he stated that “ Too much time, energy and resources were spent in the past, in my view, without a deliberate, conscious assessment of their impact on jobs and whether or not we were spending wisely to improve the lives of the people, communities and businesses.”

It is noteworthy that the President on the same occasion stated that “I was not elected by the overwhelming majority of the Ghanaian people to complain, I was elected to get things done. As we seek to silently fix the huge mess, the people of Ghana will appreciate it if Mr. Jinapor and his likes stop trying to confuse the public.

“The good people of Ghana are disgusted by outbursts of persons like John Jinapor, who is seeking to dive…

ECG’s Power Queens embraces introduction of private sector into the company

The Electricity Company of Ghana’s (ECG) Power Queens, a female workforce of the power distribution company have expressed readiness to support the private sector participation in the management of the company.

According to the Power Queens, they are not afraid of the incoming change in the management of the company hence their readiness to support it.

Cabinet has approved the takeover of ECG by Meralco Consortium.

Meanwhile, Parliament is expected to scrutinize the documents and give it backing for the full implementation of the concession arrangement in February 2019.

The Ghana Power Compact II, is expected to address six key priority areas namely; ECG Financial and Operational Turn Around Project, NEDCo Financial and Operational Turn Around Project, Regulatory Strengthening and Capacity Building Project and Access Project.

The rest are Power Generation Sector Improvement Project and Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management Project.

Speaking at the launch of the 30th Anniversary of the Power Queens in Accra, under the theme: “Facing Change – The Role of the Queens” President of the Association, Rosemond Asamoa-Frimpong, said “we recognize that we are an integral part of the change and we will have to prepare for it.

Mrs. Asamoa-Frimpong urged the staff of ECG to accept and embrace the change that will be introduced in the next decade and beyond.

“I wish to pledge our total commitment to the Future Power Project. We of the Power Queens’ resolve to even work harder and continue to be part of the success story of the future power distribution in Ghana,” she said.

In an interview with her later, Mrs Rosemond Asamoa-Frimpong, who expressed serious concerns about how illegal connection was affecting ECG called on those engaged in the illegal acts to stop or face prosecution if they are caught.

She said the revenue protection unit of the company has been monitoring their system to identify those who are stealing power and will therefore arrest all those involved in the acts.

In a goodwill message, Managing Director of ECG, Ing. Samuel Boakye-Appiah commended the Power Queens for contributing significantly to the success of the company.

“I would like to extol some of your activities in the area of education of customers on the dangers of illegal connection, revenue mobilization, charity works and donations to orphanages as well as hospitals.”

“All these have helped to enhance women visibility and the image of the Company as well as the nation at large,” he concluded.