Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has heavily criticized Energy Minister, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh for his comments that Ghanaians should come up with their own load shedding timetable.

According to Mr. Mahama, the Energy Minister’s stance is very disrespectful to Ghanaians.

The Minister in an interview with the media last month denied that the country is experiencing a power crisis under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

He, however, in response to public demand for an official timetable, asked Ghanaians to come up with their own schedule if they so desired.

However, Mr. Mahama reacting the issue during his engagement with the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) on Tuesday, April 2, stated that government should focus on focus on finding a solution to the menace, calling for an official schedule for Ghanaians to plan their lives.

“The country has been plunged into darkness. Mismanagement of generating assets and colateralization of ESLA which was meant to provide the resources to finance current and legacy debt has led us back to dumsor. The best government can do is to eat a humble pie, take responsibility for the problem and work to address it. Unfortunately, that is not the case. I’m aware that businesses and households cannot plan because of the erratic power situation.”

“While citizens demand a schedule to enable them to plan which is the least the responsible government should be doing, Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, who was one of the frontline participants of the ‘Dumsor must stop campaign’ while in opposition is reported to have said, those asking for a load-shedding timetable wish ill for the country and they should publish their schedule.”

“This is most disrespectful to Ghanaians and the customers of electric power. There is absolutely no doubt that businesses strive in a stable macroeconomic environment where revenue measures are designed to motivate the local production for growth and fiscal consolidation.”