I took off my generator to feel what Ghanaians feel – Deputy Energy Minister
Deputy Energy Minister Richard Gyan Mensah has disclosed that he intentionally removed the generator from his home so he could personally experience the power outages affecting many Ghanaians.
Speaking on PM Express with Evans Mensah, he said the choice was deliberate and meant to give him a firsthand understanding of the situation.
“Once I was appointed deputy Energy Minister, I got rid of the generator… I wanted to go through what Ghanaians experience when the power goes out,” he explained.
He noted that a surge in electricity demand earlier in the year has put significant pressure on the power system.
“At the start of the year, demand increased rapidly… and that placed a lot of strain on the distribution system… in some areas, transformers became overloaded,” he said.
He added that investigations showed overloaded transformers were responsible for outages in several areas, although response teams have been responding quickly to complaints.
“In most cases, response times to issues have been very prompt,” he stated.
Beyond the technical issues, the minister said his decision was driven by a desire to share in the lived experience of citizens.
“When my power goes off, I immediately get updates… sometimes I send messages and receive feedback on what is being done,” he said.
He also noted that he keeps track of restoration efforts and is informed once power is restored.
Confirming the extent of his decision, he admitted he sometimes sleeps without electricity. “Exactly,” he said when asked directly.
He acknowledged that the situation has not been easy at home, especially for his family.
“For about a year now, while I can manage, my wife has not been comfortable with it,” he revealed.
However, he said the experience has reshaped his outlook.
“People judge us based on how reliable the power supply is… I wanted to be in the same position as the ordinary Ghanaian to understand how it feels,” he said.
He added that without such experience, the issue might seem distant. “Otherwise, it may feel abstract. Now, when the power goes off, I feel it too.”
The minister also said he has avoided installing alternatives like solar power to remain in touch with the realities of most citizens.
“I could install solar, but then what about the ordinary Ghanaian who cannot afford it?” he questioned.
He recounted a recent outage at his home, which lasted from about 6 a.m. to noon, during which he stayed with his children while following up with officials at Akosombo for updates.
Despite the inconvenience, he described the move as temporary. “I’m working to improve the system, and once things stabilise for Ghanaians, I’ll bring the generator back,” he said.
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