The flag bearer of the opposition NDC, former President John Dramani Mahama says he is saddened by the cancellation of a $190 million Millennium Challenge Compact for Ghana meant for private sector participation in electricity distribution.
Mahama’s reaction comes after the Millennium Challenge Corporation confirmed yesterday that despite the prevailing power crisis, it has no “immediate plans to work again in Ghana.”
In a Facebook post, Mahama said Ghana lost the crucial deal due to the “corrupt, ‘yenkyendi’, and cronyistic governance practices” of President Nana Akufo-Addo and his vice, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
In the face of prevailing energy crisis in the country, Mr Mahama assured Ghanaians that he “will work diligently to enhance private sector efficiency in the electricity distribution system, including metering, revenue management, and fault response,” when he is re-elected to be Ghana’s president in the upcoming December 7 general elections.
PDS Deal
Energy experts have blamed the development on the PDS scandal in 2019 that attracted media attention for weeks.
In March 2019, Ghana was about receiving funding of some $190 million as part of a second tranche of the MMC power compact aimed at infrastructure investments and financial recovery of the energy sector .
However, owing to a botched 20-year concession agreement with Ghana’s Power Distribution Services (PDS), where PDS was to assume the operation and management of the staff and assets of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the US government halted the transfer of the funds, stating that private sector participation was a central reform under MCC’s Ghana Power Compact.
The U.S. Government had indicated at that time that it was looking forward to “continuing to work together with MiDA and the Government of Ghana to implement the remainder of the Power Compact”.
Meanwhile, John Mahama has pledged to launch investigations into the PDS deal.
“My administration will prioritise accountability and ensure a thorough investigation of the PDS scandal to hold those involved accountable,”he stated and urged Ghanaians that “We can work together to build a brighter future for Ghana’s power sector that benefits citizens and businesses,” he stated.
He concluded by saying, “Let’s stand together, fight against corruption and cronyism, and work towards building the Ghana we want.”
Below is the full statement.
Dear fellow Ghanaians,
It’s disheartening to learn that the $190 million we negotiated for private sector participation in electricity distribution under the US Millennium Compact has been lost due to Nana Addo and Bawumia’s corrupt, ‘yenkyendi’, and cronyistic governance practices.
This is unacceptable, and we deserve better as a people.
As I gear up to assume the presidency in January 2025, thanks to your votes and endorsement in this year’s election, I want to assure you that I will work diligently to enhance private sector efficiency in the electricity distribution system, including metering, revenue management, and fault response.
My administration will prioritise accountability and ensure a thorough investigation of the PDS scandal to hold those involved accountable.
We can work together to build a brighter future for Ghana’s power sector that benefits citizens and businesses.
Let’s stand together, fight against corruption and cronyism, and work towards building the Ghana we want.
#LetsBuildGhanaTogether
#Mahama4Change2024
Source: Myxyzonline.com
