After weeks of darkness and growing frustration, there may finally be light at the end of the tunnel for Ghanaians. Energy Minister John Jinapor has assured the nation that the persistent power outages—locally dubbed Dumsor—will subside by the end of May, as the government accelerates critical maintenance on the country’s aging power infrastructure.
In an exclusive interview with TV3, Jinapor provided clarity on the ongoing power crisis, which has disrupted homes, businesses, and essential services across the country. According to the minister, the outages are a result of overdue servicing required on several power plants that have far surpassed their recommended operational lifespans.
“Many of our power plants have operated far beyond their designed capacity. These machines need to be properly maintained to ensure they don’t break down completely,” Jinapor explained. “What I get is that within the month of May, there will be major maintenance, and in June, there will be minimal maintenance. So, barring any unforeseen circumstances, we should be seeing a stable power supply.”
The term Dumsor—a blend of the Akan words for “off” and “on”—has become synonymous with the country’s long-running struggle with unreliable electricity. While the government has faced criticism over its handling of the current crisis, Jinapor insists that this maintenance phase is a necessary and proactive move to prevent deeper and more costly disruptions in the near future.
“These are plants that have gone far beyond their maximum operating hours. So, as a responsible government, we have to undertake the servicing,” he said, appealing to Ghanaians for patience. “We will do everything within our power to reduce the impact. It is a necessary step.”
Jinapor’s reassurances come at a time of mounting public anxiety. For small businesses reliant on stable electricity, students studying for exams, and families juggling daily routines, each outage is more than an inconvenience—it’s a disruption of life itself.
Yet, amid the current frustration, his words may offer a glimmer of hope. If the timeline holds, June could usher in a new era of reliability in Ghana’s energy sector—one long-awaited by millions.
As the calendar turns and maintenance progresses, all eyes will be on the Ministry of Energy. For now, Ghanaians wait, hopeful that Dumsor may soon be resigned to the past.
Zaaaghananews.com//Issifu Alidu Laa-Bandow
