Government’s promise to bring in 450megawatts of power by April to ease a painful power crisis is unofficially impossible.
Karpower in Turkey has been negotiating with Ghana government to bring in 450megawatts by April.
Although Parliament granted approval for the deal in March, it will take at least 90 days before Karpower ships crucial emergency power to Ghana’s shores.
At the moment, the Finance Ministry is yet to issue Letters of Comfort which should provide financial guarantees to the Turkish power company before they can build, operate and transfer the power to Ghana.
Barges are still in Turkey
The running-mate for the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has expressed reservations about government’s promise to deliver two 450 megawatt emergency power barges from Turkey by April to address the current power crisis.
According to him, the barges will not meet this month’s deadline as negotiations between the two partners have not been finalised.
He said resolving the current energy crisis is critical to economic growth — however, government’s approach to delivery of emergency power from Turkey does not reflect the seriousness of the power situation.
“As I speak, my understanding is that the Turkish power barges had not left Turkey as at last week, and so the promise that they would be here to deliver power in April is not likely to be met,” he said.