Former President John Dramani Mahama has expressed dissatisfaction about the loss of $190 million for private sector engagement in energy distribution under the US Millennium Compact.

In a Facebook post, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer stated that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s ‘corrupt, yenkyendi, and cronyistic governing practices’ resulted in the loss of the $190 million US Millennium Compact.

When reelected in the next general elections on December 7, the former president promised to “work diligently to enhance private sector efficiency in the electricity distribution system, including metering, revenue management, and fault response.”

He also vowed to “ensure a thorough investigation of the PDS [Power Distribution Services] scandal and hold those involved accountable.”

The Ghanaian government granted Power Distribution Services (PDS) Ghana Limited a 25-year concession to administer the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in a contentious transaction.

The agreement was signed in March 2019 but was halted in July 2019 due to charges of fraud.

As part of the second tranche of the MMC power agreement, the Ghana government was on the verge of obtaining $190 million in funding for the long-term sustainability of associated infrastructure projects and the financial recovery of the energy sector in March 2019.

However, due to the cancelled concession agreement with Ghana’s Power Distribution Services (PDS), which called for PDS to take over the operation and management of the Electricity Company of Ghana’s (ECG) staff and assets, the US government halted the funds transfer, claiming that private sector participation was a key 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

The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to establish a contingency plan to address the numerous issues afflicting the restricted voter registration process.

The registration process has been cumbersome, leaving many people unable to register.

Following a visit to a voter registration facility, Afenyo-Markin underlined the need of the EC to have a backup plan in place to guarantee that every eligible voter is registered before the process is completed.

“The Electoral Commission must strengthen its registration system. Obviously, if we’re all talking about network difficulties, I’m not sure they’ll be able to finish on time. It is necessary to address the frustrations and delays.

“So I am encouraging the Electoral Commission to guarantee that they have a backup mechanism because the current grievances are too numerous. And I would encourage the Electoral Commission to meet expectations.

Other others, notably the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s running mate, Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, have suggested that the deadline be extended to compensate for the time lost owing to technical and network issues.

On the other hand, President Akufo-Addo has urged all eligible voters to register in order to strengthen Ghana’s democratic process.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has reminded the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) about the importance of a seamless and peaceful transfer of power in the impending 2024 general elections.

At a news conference on Thursday, May 9, NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia raised alarm and accused the Electoral Commission (EC) of potentially assisting President Akufo-Addo’s apparent reluctance to hand over power to their nominee, John Mahama.

“We do not anticipate the Electoral Commission to be the channel via which Akufo-Addo would carry out his proclaimed refusal to give up power to the visionary, experienced, and trustworthy John Dramani Mahama.

“NPP must select a peaceful transition of power from NPP to NDC for their own benefit. “The 2024 elections will not be business as usual,” he said.

Nketiah indicated that NDC registration agents worldwide will reject any attempts by the EC to diminish transparency in the ongoing voter registration process.

“We desire to serve notice, and notice is thus served, that NDC registration agents around the country will reject the EC’s covert attempts to reduce transparency in the voter registration process.

“Let me emphasise that our agents must activate the party’s super hi-tech application systems to transmit all serial numbers of BVR kits in their districts and electoral areas to the National Elections and IT Directorate of the party, with or without the approval of the EC.”

The two major parties have already made allegations and counter-accusations of busing people to other areas to register.

The problem of minors purportedly being able to register is also rearing its ugly head in the ongoing limited voter registration.

Johnson Asiedu Nketiah issued a clarion appeal, inviting chiefs, opinion leaders, and faith-based groups to join the NDC’s push for enhanced openness and justice, which he termed as “a necessary precondition for peaceful elections,” urging them.

Meanwhile, the EC has turned down the NDC’s request for the serial numbers of the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits used in the current Limited Voter Registration.