Interior minister Mark Owen Woyongo is bemoaning the rate of demonstrations triggered by the power crisis and is urging Ghanaians to exercise patience while government solves the problem.
He told Joy TV’s Mamavi Aboagye that demonstrations will not solve the problem because “government cannot do magic now to address the energy crisis”.
Two demonstrations were organised last month by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) against what they described as government’s incompetence in providing short term solutions to the 3-year power crisis.
One was held and led by its 2016 flagbearer Nana Addo in Accra while his vice-president aspirant Mahamudu Bawumia led another in Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi.
The party has promised to demonstrate in every region to voice their discontent.
Some sections of the business community also planned to hit the streets but called it off. Another demonstration was also planned to coincide with Ghana’s 58 th Independence anniversary but the Police obtained a court order to scuttle protest plans .
At this rate, the Interior Minister is convinced that “our country is a country of demonstrations”.
“Imagine the number of police men we deploy….. It is huge….we waste a lot of manhours and resources…..vehicles, the human resources,” he explained.
The minister questioned the results these street protests have achieved.
“We have already outlined measures we are taking to address the situation….so even if you demonstrate a million times the situation cannot ease immediately”, he advised.
Government is planning to bring in emergency power barges by April.
According to the Interior minister, interest groups should consider “innovative ways” to channel grievances to government other than resorting to demonstrations which seep out police resources.
One of such innovations, he suggested is to organize a “very strong” press conference or statement to government.
“Present a paper to government if nothing is done then you can go on demonstration”, he said.
The Navrongo East MP also compared Ghana’s power crisis to South Africa to make the point that Ghana was not alone in experiencing power cuts. Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline|Edwin Appiah|[email protected]
This article has 0 comment, leave your comment.