John Jinapor is the Minister of Energy and Green Transition
The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has accused the Minority in Parliament of ‘setting him up’ and then falsely accusing him of prioritising media headlines over addressing the persistent challenges facing the energy sector.
Speaking at a recent workshop organised by the Energy Committee of Parliament, Mr. Jinapor disclosed that the country has limited reserves of liquid fuel to power its thermal plants. However, he added that there is no cause for alarm, as the country has imported light crude oil that is expected to arrive soon.
Members of the Minority, however, argue that such public pronouncements risk inciting public panic and could send negative signals to investors and the broader business community.
Addressing journalists in Parliament on Monday, 19th May, the Ranking Member on the Energy Committee, George Kwame Aboagye, expressed serious concern over the Minister’s approach.
Mr. Aboagye urged the Minister to shift his focus from what he described as “media theatrics” and instead prioritise the urgent task of stabilising Ghana’s struggling energy sector.
He emphasized that the days of dumsor (persistent power outages) should be over, and the government must ensure that the country does not suffer frequent power disruptions.
“In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, and members of the press: One, the patience of the Ghanaian people is wearing thin. Two, we demand action and results from the Minister of Energy and the government. Three, it is time to stop the talking and turn the lights on—because Nana Akufo-Addo did the same.
“Four, businesses are collapsing. Five, the Minority MPs, especially those on the Energy Committee, are urging the Minister to take immediate action. Six, dumsor is slowing down the economy. Seven, the honeymoon is over, Mr. Minister. Eight, enough is enough,” the Minority stated.
However, speaking in an interview with Metro TV on Tuesday, 20th May 2025, the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, expressed surprise at the conduct of the Minority.
“I am surprised by the Minority. I was in my office working when they invited me to brief them on the state of Ghana’s energy situation—the challenges and what we are doing to address them. As Minister, I obliged. I went to give the briefing, and they brought in the press to cover it. The press reported on it, and now the same Minority is asking why the Minister is talking.
“I did not invite the press, nor was I seeking publicity. They brought the press and I provided the facts—our debt situation, fuel reserves, generating capacity, and our interventions to address the inherited challenges.
“In providing the data, I stated that we had two days and six hours’ worth of light crude oil for one of the plants. I didn’t say there would be load shedding. I didn’t say a crisis was imminent. I even mentioned that we had imported 450,000 barrels of light crude oil to supplement our current stock.
“But for some reason, some media outlets focused on the ‘two days, six hours’ part and portrayed it as though a crisis was looming. As Minister, I had to correct that narrative and reassure the public that while the reserve was indeed 2.6 days, there was no cause for alarm as additional fuel was on the way.
“Then the same Minority held a press conference and accused me of talking too much. They even demanded that I publish a load shedding timetable—despite the fact that at the meeting, I had given them data on our generation capacity and demand. I also informed them that, in order to meet local demand, we had reduced electricity exports to virtually zero.
“So I ask: If we are not shedding load, how do you publish a load shedding timetable?” he questioned.
NPP ‘set me up’ but… – @JohnJinapor hits back at Minority & clarifies 2.6 days fuel cover comment#GoodMorningGhana #MetroTV pic.twitter.com/3wJbCLxQHi
— Metro TV Ghana (@metrotvgh) May 20, 2025
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