Residents across Sunyani and surrounding communities have been grappling with repeated power outages in recent weeks, sparking public concern and raising fears of a return to the dreaded era of ‘dumsor’—a term used in Ghana to describe persistent, unpredictable power cuts.
But the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) has pushed back against those claims, insisting the region is not experiencing load shedding or deliberate power rationing. Instead, the utility says the disruptions stem from technical issues at the Sunyani Bulk Supply Point.
In response to growing frustration, the Bono Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Addai Akwaboa, visited the main NEDCo station in Sunyani to assess the situation firsthand.
Accompanied by engineers, the Minister toured the control room and was briefed on the ongoing challenges facing the distribution network.
Sunyani Area Manager for NEDCo, Ing. Eugene Odoi Addo, explained during a press briefing on Monday that a faulty breaker had been identified as the primary cause of the outages. He named affected areas including Fiapre, Baakoniaba, Berlin Top, Newtown, Asufufu, and Estate.
“We understand the hardship residents are facing, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience,” said Ing. Addo. “We’re working around the clock to restore normal service and prevent future disruptions.”
To mitigate the situation and improve reliability, NEDCo says it is fast-tracking the construction of new substations at Abesim, Fiapre, and Berekum.
The engineers also dismissed allegations of political interference, rejecting claims that the outages are part of a plot to make the government unpopular. “The power challenges are purely technical,” they emphasized, calling on the public to avoid politicizing energy issues.
Minister Akwaboa urged the NEDCo team to expedite their interventions, acknowledging the critical role power plays in local development. He also responded to political jabs suggesting former President John Mahama was behind the return of ‘dumsor,’ labeling such comments as unhelpful and speculative.
“Reliable electricity is essential to our development goals, and we must all support NEDCo to deliver on their mandate,” he said in an interview with Kaakyire Kwasi Afari on Sunyani-based Ark FM.
