Presidential candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has slammed the government over the loss of $190 million meant for private sector participation in electricity distribution under the US Millennium Compact.
The former president opined that the ‘corrupt, ‘yenkyendi’, and cronyistic governance practices’ led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia led to the loss of the $190m US Millenium compact.
He expressed this.opinion in a Facebook post he shared on his official page.
He has therefore promised that a new NDC administration “will work diligently to enhance private sector efficiency in the electricity distribution system, including metering, revenue management, and fault response”.
He further promised to “ensure a thorough investigation of the PDS [Power Distribution Services] scandal to hold those involved accountable.
The Ghanaian government awarded a 25-year concession to Power Distribution Services (PDS) Ghana Limited to manage the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), a controversial deal that was suspended in July 2019 due to allegations of fraud.
The deal was part of a second tranche of the MMC power compact, aimed at long-term sustainability of infrastructure investments and financial recovery of the energy sector.
However, the US government halted the transfer of funds due to the cancelled concession agreement, stating that private sector participation was a central reform under MCC’s Ghana Power Compact.
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
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
