Deputy NDC National Youth Organiser Takes On Bawumia For 'Attacking' Mahama

The Deputy National Youth Organiser of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Osman Ayariga Mahama, has criticized the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for what he deems to be his constant attacks on the former NDC government regarding its debt to Independent Power Producers.

Instead of taking responsibility and addressing the problems in the energy sector, Dr. Bawumia consistently accuses former President John Mahama in order to win cheap political points, according to him.

Mr. Ayariga asserts that the NDC will no longer tolerate such behavior and will always respond in kind if Dr. Bawumia spreads false information about the former president.

In an interview with the media on Saturday, July 1st, the Deputy National Youth Organizer of the NDC advised the Vice President to refrain from such toxic political behavior.

"I find it extremely disappointing that every time Vice President Dr. Bawumia speaks on the power generation issue, the first person he attacks is former President John Dramani Mahama, claiming that he signed take-or-pay contracts that are bankrupting the country, when he is being dishonest.

"The majority of these payments must be for fuel or electricity generated by Independent Power Producers that the government is not paying for."

He added that the depreciation of the Ghana cedi as a result of the NPP government's economic mismanagement is also a factor in the energy sector's rising debt levels.

The government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has repeatedly argued that the take-or-pay Power Purchasing Agreements (PPA) signed by the previous administration of John Dramani Mahama equate to a financial loss for the state.

However, the NDC has strenuously refuted this claim, even condemning a World Bank official in Ghana who somewhat echoed the NPP's claim.

The young NDC politician was discussing the Independent Power Producers' recent threat to close down their facilities due to the government's debt to them.

On Thursday, June 29, the Chamber of Independent Power Producers instructed its members to cease supplying the national grid beginning July 1.

Sunon Asogli, Cenpower, Karpowership, AKSA, Twin City Energy, and CENIT are Chamber members.

Independent power producers play a substantial role in Ghana's energy sector, controlling 47 percent of the country's total power generation balance and supplying 67 percent of Ghana's thermal power.

As of May 2021, the collective outstanding debt of the six businesses is approximately $1.73 billion, extending back to January 2021.

However, the threat was withdrawn after productive discussions with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

The IPPs have promised to continue operating their power plants beyond July 1, 2023.