Ghana has long prioritized the achievement of universal access to electricity as a pillar of its development agenda. However, the country has been grappling with power supply issues for years. The unstable power supply is a long-standing issue, with the term dumsor coined in 2013 to describe the precariousness of the power situation in Ghana.
Dumsor, which translates to “off-on,” is used to depict the frequent power outages in the country; these outages have led to sporadic social protests in recent years. The word comes from two Akan words: “dum” (to turn off) and “sor” (to turn on). The meaning is simple: the power goes off, then it comes back.
Areas most affected by power outages.
Historical Context of Power Outages in Ghana
Ghana’s power issues are not new. The story goes back to the 1940s when electricity first reached parts of the country. In the 1980s and 1990s, economic changes and aging infrastructure led to more frequent outages. By the early 2010s, the country faced a full-blown crisis. The word dumsor gained popularity during those times. It gave people a way to talk about their struggles. Even as new power projects were introduced, the impact of past mismanagement lingered.
The 2004-2005 load shedding period happened under President John Agyekum Kufuor's administration but was not too frequent as during the tenure of John Dramani Mahama. The 2009-2011 load shedding period began when John Dramani Mahama was in government as Vice President. After the death of then President John Evans Atta Mills during when the persistent on and off nature of the power supply in the country became abhorrent, Ghanaians out of frustration named the situation dumsor.
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By early 2019, Ghanaians began to experience another wave of a controversial dumsor or load shedding, whose schedule was not published, despite the norm. Ghana's Parliament was even divided on how to call it.
After the death of then President John Evans Atta Mills during when the persistent on and off nature of the power supply in the country became abhorrent, Ghanaians out of frustration named the situation dumsor. The Mahama government blamed it on the government's inability to add significant generating capacity over the years and promised to fix this.
Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson then started the #dumsormuststop campaign on social media and other Ghanaian celebrities joined her. In 2015, John Mahama used the word in a state visit to Germany while talking with Angela Merkel. He said he has been nicknamed "Mr. Dumsor" in Ghana.
Causes of Power Outages
Ghana's power supply profusely became erratic in early 2013, because of generation capacity and breach in contract obligations to external partners. Recent reports suggest the situation could get worse. As of early 2025, ECG began rotating outages in areas across Kumasi. Fuel shortages, system maintenance, and outdated equipment are part of the reason.
In recent years, Ghana has worked hard to stabilize its power sector, but in 2024, the Institute for Energy Security (IES) said that the nation faces renewed threats of power crisis as 560MW of Sunon Asogli Power Plant was shut down due to debt dispute. Sunon Asogli Power Plant is one of the largest power producers in Ghana. It provides about 12-15% of the country's electricity.
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Many parts of Ghana were plunged into darkness due to a lack of gas to power machinery used to generate electricity in the country. Power distribution firm Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) says the situation has caused "a supply gap of 550MW at peak time" at Tema power plant, near the capital, Accra. This is about 10% of the country's total capacity.
The GRIDCo spokesperson said it was caused by a problem in gas supply from Takoradi. Some reports say the issue was that gas suppliers had not been paid. The power utility firm did not say how long it would take for normal supplies to resume.
Impact of Power Outages
Over the past decade, Ghana lost an average of $2.1 million USD daily due to production losses caused by electricity supply challenges. This has affected the economic and social sectors including industries, residences, and agriculture. The unreliable power has also had adverse effects on crucial infrastructure such as water supply and telecommunications systems. In some communities, it has impeded access to quality healthcare.
For example, clinics in rural areas struggle to properly store medications that require refrigeration. Furthermore, a recent study found a positive association between the frequency of power outages and in-facility mortality in Ghana, with the risk for mortality estimated to increase by 43% for each day the power was out for over 2 hours.
Many Ghanaian companies were collapsing due to the irregularity of the power supply. When machines stop, so does work. Some businesses try to adapt by changing their hours or using backups. The power issue is not just about lights going off. It affects how people feel, what they expect from leaders, and how they support each other.
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In the education sector, technology is essential for teaching and learning, especially at the tertiary level. Periods of power rationing, which emerged in response to electricity unreliability, were reportedly less frequent in affluent neighbourhoods. Conversely, power rationing is a common occurrence in low-income areas, underscoring a deviation from the distributional tenet of energy justice.
Dumsor affects life in Kumasi in real, everyday ways. For families, it changes how homes function. Planning ahead helps reduce stress when the lights go out.
- Keep Emergency Water Stored: Pumps may stop during blackouts.
- Health Risks: Medical equipment at home may stop working.
- Lost Revenue: When machines stop, so does work.
Additionally, charcoal-which is typically made by burning wood-has become a common strategy to satisfy energy needs. However, the conversion of trees into wood fuels has substantial consequences for biodiversity, soil erosion, and climate change. The production and use of wood fuels for cooking emit large amounts of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other volatile compounds into the air, adversely impacting health.
Fossil-fuelled generators emit nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide, both of which are harmful to human and environmental health. Furthermore, women are disproportionately affected by this issue due to traditional gender roles in which they are responsible for preparing food.
Charcoal for cooking.
Solutions and the Way Forward
The Ghanaian government has plans to diversify its energy sources, using more renewables. While the State still advocates for renewable alternatives with the recent additions, for example, of the Tsatsadu Micro-hydro generation station and the Bui Power Authority (BPA) floating solar plant, the main strategy has been to enter into agreements with private corporations called Independent Power Producers (IPPs). Many of these IPPs rely on fossil-fuelled thermal plants. At present, these plants contribute about 70% of the country’s power, replacing hydro as the main source.
To address the dilemmas created by the lack of electricity accessibility, reliability, and social justice, Ghana must invest in policy and regulatory frameworks that will promote the diversification of its energy mix. At the same time, the country must prioritize the use of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass. It must also make robust social investments in public services and infrastructure to achieve these goals.
At the micro level, a clear example of needed policy action is the subsidizing of off-grid energy solutions such as solar panels and batteries for energy-poor communities. At the meso- and macro- levels, the government should provide leadership and critical investment in transformative decentralized energy systems such as renewable-based mini-grids.
Looking ahead, Kumasi holds the promise of change. With planned upgrades and sincere efforts toward renewable energy, there is hope for a more stable power supply.
Rectifying Ghana’s power unreliability requires the deployment of nuanced electricity provision frameworks and the engagement of diverse stakeholders. While the expansion of hydropower dams and fossil-fuel-based power plants may be politically and technically expedient, merely increasing the proportion of these sources in Ghana’s generation mix does not guarantee electricity reliability, renewability, equity, nor sustainability.
Climate change exacerbates these challenges. It is therefore vital to consider diverse sources that are less vulnerable to climate change risks, as well as more efficient storage and transmission infrastructures. While all energy forms have some detrimental environmental impact, renewable energy has a significantly lower net impact on both humans and the environment.
Ghana has sunlight all year. Communities are starting to look into small-scale solar for homes or businesses.
The need for reliable electricity is urgent. Residents want clear plans and real action. They are asking for investment in infrastructure and more support for solar and other energy sources. A steady power supply is not a luxury.
Ghana Power Crisis
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