[Blog] - #DumsorMustStop

#DumsorMustStop

“Dumsor” as described by someone on Wikipedia.org as a popular Ghanaian term used to describe the persistent, irregular and unpredictable electric power outages in Ghana (load shedding).

Gradually, these power outages are becoming part of our lives now and its side effects may be upsetting. I quite remember hearing, H.E. John Mahama, speak of eradicating the then Ghana's power crises at the 2012 Vice-Presidential Debate if his party is voted into power. During those times, Ghana's power crises was relatively not as severe as in these times, even then, H.E. J.D Mahama (Vice President) at the time set that as one of his campaign objectives; but little is known of its benefits to his party. 

University of Ghana Campus in darkness.

But now, June 2015, 3 years on, the power crises has become a norm. The Government always makes  excuses with big English Language words that one cannot easily comprehend. According to Ghana Growth and Development Platform, deteriorated machinery, low level of water from the Akosombo and Bui dams and also reduced amount of gas supply from Nigeria have been identified as the key reasons for these power crisis which have worsened since December 2014.

 It’s sometimes sad that we wake up and realize our soups and stews we kept in the fridge days ago have gone bad, we wake up and we can’t even watch tele, though we have paid for DSTV monthly subscription, we get to watch tele about 1/3 of the month. We go out to buy fuels to power our generators too, fuel prices hmmm (I don’t wanna talk about that too). Everywhere we pass, we have to pay for “generator fees” even at the barbering saloons. 

·         People are dying at hospitals because they cannot afford “generator fees” hence they are not being attended to.

·         Loss of Jobs; due to the fact that productivity has dropped. Job owners find it difficult to buy fuel for their power plants and pay workers as well (EXTRA COST) . For eg. Coca-Cola, Blue Skies among others

·         Low standard of living.

·         Skin problems (Heat rashes).

·         Increase in crime wave.

     ...Just to mention a few.

    

The promises are way too much, we can’t bear it anymore. Where is Ghana heading to? The 90s and 80s or what? This is serious. I’m sober. Let's all pray for "Our Government" to kick "Dumsor" out of Ghana. But remember we citizens also have a role to play, let's try to utilize the little energy we have wisely. By switching off light bulbs during the day, switching off electrical appliances when not in use AND also try reduce the rate at which we charge our phones (As advised by our President) 😃😃😃  Long live Ghana!

#DumsorMustStop.

[[Efforts made by the Government to eradicate the power crisis will be published later]]

Acknowledgements: Linda Lardey