By Collins Sarkodieh 
Ghana is currently experiencing widespread and persistent power outages, popularly known as “Dumsor,” which have disrupted homes and businesses for several weeks. Despite the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) attributing these interruptions to “targeted system upgrades,” the consistency and timing of the blackouts have led many citizens to believe that a secret load-shedding timetable is being implemented without public notification.
The frustration among Ghanaians has reached a boiling point as lights are frequently cut at peak hours, typically starting around 6:00 PM and only returning after midnight or early the following morning. While the government maintains that the power grid is stable, the sheer volume of complaints from various regions suggests a systemic challenge that goes beyond mere maintenance. For business owners, the lack of a formal schedule is particularly damaging, as it prevents any meaningful planning and has already started to drive up the cost of local production and services.
Why is the “Mahama and Dumsor” proverb resurfacing in 2026?
The proverb “President Mahama and Dumsor are like one and two” has resurfaced because the current power instability mirrors the energy crisis experienced during his previous tenure. Citizens are drawing direct parallels between the current outages and the historical “Dumsor” era, suggesting that the ghost of energy insufficiency has returned to haunt the administration.
History has a funny way of repeating itself, but the humor is lost on a barber in Kumasi or a cold-store operator in Accra who cannot work after sunset. The resurgence of this comparison is a logical reaction to the familiarity of the problem. When lights go off at 6:00 PM and return at 6:00 AM like clockwork, the public naturally concludes that the “One and Two” relationship between the presidency and power instability is once again in full effect. This cultural shorthand reflects a deep-seated anxiety that the country is regressing into a period of prolonged energy poverty.
What is the official explanation from the ECG regarding the outages?
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) maintains that current power interruptions are strictly due to “system upgrades” and not a return to Dumsor. According to official statements, the company is undertaking massive sub-transmission line strengthening, transformer upgrades, and real-time fault detection improvements to expand the bulk supply capacity of the region.
Logic suggests that if these were simple upgrades, they would not consistently occur across the entire country simultaneously and for such extended periods. The ECG’s defense focuses on the technical necessity of modernizing an aging grid to prevent a total collapse. However, the lack of a transparent timetable makes this “upgrade” narrative difficult for the public to swallow. If you are upgrading a transformer in a specific neighborhood, it shouldn’t logically take three weeks of nightly blackouts to complete the task unless the underlying issues are far more severe than reported.
Is there a secret load-shedding timetable being implemented?
Many Ghanaians are convinced that a planned load-shedding schedule is already being executed in secret because of the predictable nature of the outages. Reports indicate that lights in several locations are taken off exactly at 6:00 PM and returned at 12:00 AM or 6:00 AM, which suggests a deliberate sharing of available power among different zones.
The government and ECG continue to deny the existence of a timetable, yet the reality on the ground contradicts this stance. From a strategic perspective, admitting to “Dumsor” has heavy political consequences, which might explain the reluctance to use the word. However, for the average citizen, the “truth” is found in the darkness of their living rooms. By refusing to release a schedule, the government is denying citizens the right to plan their lives, essentially leaving them in a state of perpetual uncertainty that is often more frustrating than the outages themselves.
Why was the CEO of GRIDCo asked to step aside?
The Minister of Energy recently directed the CEO of the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) to step aside to facilitate an investigation following a major fire outbreak at one of the critical substations. This move comes amidst allegations of sabotage and administrative lapses that may have contributed to the recent spike in power instability.
A fire at a substation is not just a technical failure; it is a national security concern. The investigation aims to determine whether the fire was an accident caused by equipment fatigue or something more calculated. There have been whispers and accusations pointing toward political interference, with some supporters of the administration suggesting that members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) might be involved in sabotaging the grid. While these claims remain unproven, the suspension of the CEO indicates that the government recognizes a serious leadership or security breach within the power distribution chain.
How are power outages impacting Ghanaian businesses and the economy?
The current energy crisis is dealing a heavy blow to productivity, with many offices closing early and manufacturing companies planning to increase the prices of their products to offset the cost of running diesel generators. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the hardest hit, as they often lack the capital to invest in expensive solar or backup power solutions.
- Productivity Decline: Factories are losing thousands of man-hours as machines sit idle during peak production times.
- Inflationary Pressure: As the cost of production rises due to alternative fuel usage, those costs are being passed directly to the consumer.
- Service Disruption: Digital-based businesses and IT hubs are struggling to maintain “always-on” services, damaging Ghana’s reputation as a growing tech hub.
If the situation is not resolved soon, we may see a wave of layoffs as companies struggle to remain profitable. The logic is simple: if you can’t power the factory, you can’t pay the workers. This economic ripple effect is why the call for the President to act has become so desperate.
Factual Insights on Ghana’s Energy Sector in 2026:
- Grid Capacity: Ghana’s installed capacity is approximately 5,000 MW, but actual operational capacity often fluctuates due to fuel supply challenges and maintenance.
- System Upgrades: The ECG is currently investing over $200 million into sub-transmission upgrades to reduce technical losses.
- Thermal Dependence: Over 60% of Ghana’s electricity is generated from thermal sources (gas), making the grid sensitive to gas supply disruptions from the West African Gas Pipeline.
- Hydropower Levels: Low water levels at the Akosombo Dam can reduce hydro output, putting more pressure on expensive thermal plants.
- Public Sentiment: According to recent social media sentiment analysis, “Dumsor” is currently the top trending topic in Ghana for the fourth consecutive week.
- Debt Challenges: The energy sector continues to face a “circular debt” crisis, where the government owes independent power producers (IPPs) significant sums, occasionally leading to threats of power shutdowns.
What is President Mahama’s current plan to resolve the crisis?
Citizens are calling on President John Mahama to take immediate and decisive action to stabilize the grid and restore confidence in the energy sector. The President is expected to address the nation shortly to outline a roadmap that includes securing consistent gas supplies for thermal plants and fast-tracking the repair of damaged substations.
The “Winning Language” from the presidency must be one of accountability. While the ECG and GRIDCo officials handle the technical side, the President must manage the “truth” side of the equation. If there is a need for load-shedding to save the grid from a total collapse, the logic of transparency dictates that the public should be told. Ghanaians are resilient people who can handle the truth, but they struggle with being kept in the dark both literally and figuratively. The expectation is that the government will move beyond the “upgrade” excuse and provide a concrete solution to get the businesses back on their feet.
Also Read: Power Management: Understanding the ECG Power Outages Across Four Regions on April 22
Are the sabotage allegations against the NPP credible?
At this stage, the allegations that the opposition NPP is involved in sabotaging ECG and GRIDCo substations are largely speculative and based on political tension. However, the government has a duty to investigate these claims thoroughly to find out if there is any merit to the idea of “internal or external interference.”
In a highly polarized political environment, it is common for the ruling party to point fingers at the opposition during a crisis. However, logic dictates that protecting national infrastructure is the sole responsibility of the state. Whether the fires were caused by an “old wire” or a “bad actor,” the failure to protect the substations still falls on the current administration. The public deserves a forensic report on these fire outbreaks so that the blame can be placed on facts rather than political convenience.
What should Ghanaians do to cope with the unannounced blackouts?
Until a formal timetable is released or the power stabilizes, Ghanaians are being advised to invest in surge protectors for their appliances and, where possible, shift their high-energy activities to the morning hours. Community leaders are also urging citizens to report any suspicious activity around ECG and GRIDCo substations to prevent further incidents.
Being prepared is the only way to mitigate the damage to household electronics. Many people have reported losing refrigerators and televisions due to the high voltage that sometimes accompanies the return of power at midnight. Until the government does “something about this situation as soon as possible,” the burden of protection remains on the individual. It is a frustrating reality, but logic says it is better to have a dark room than a burnt-out appliance.
The current energy crisis is a test of leadership and transparency for the Mahama administration. While the technical explanations of “upgrades” may hold some merit, they do not excuse the lack of communication that has left millions of Ghanaians in the dark.
As the country looks toward the middle of 2026, the hope is that the lessons of the past have been learned. Ghana cannot afford to return to the days of prolonged “Dumsor.” The lights must stay on, the truth must be told, and the economy must be allowed to breathe. For now, the nation waits for the President to turn the switch and bring back the light.
Do you believe that the government should be legally required to release a load-shedding timetable whenever power outages exceed a certain number of hours per week, or should the utility companies have the discretion to manage “maintenance” without public schedules?