Keep the lights on, you’re in charge now – Herbert Krapa to NDC govt

Former Energy Minister Herbert Krapa has refuted claims of an imminent power crisis in Ghana, challenging the newly elected National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to focus on effective management of the energy sector.

Responding to statements by John Jinapor, Co-Chairman of the Transition Team’s Energy and Natural Resources sub-committee, Krapa dismissed allegations of dangerously low fuel stock threatening massive power outages.

“Mr. Jinapor is wrong. Load shedding does not ‘loom.’ It is caused either by technical or emergency power generation issues or a lack of competence in managing the power sector. Mr. Jinapor seems to be haunted clearly by the latter,” Krapa asserted.

He emphasized that the outgone Akufo-Addo administration had ensured a reliable stock of light crude oil and heavy fuel oil to power key plants before leaving office.

Krapa urged the NDC government to prioritize proactive planning and avoid “needless finger-pointing,” saying, “The responsibility of the new administration is to procure more liquid fuel to keep the lights on whenever required and to plan competently to avert disruptions. We did it, and they can do it too if they can.”

He concluded with a call to action for the NDC to replicate the consistent power supply achieved during the NPP’s tenure: “Get to work as we did; the reason we kept the lights on for eight years, regardless of the difficult times.”