THE HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ENDING DUMSOR

electricity is always at the heart of economic transformation

OVERVIEW

In 1961-1965, a landmark dam, the Akosombo dam was constructed. The Akosombo hydroelectric project was a brainchild of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and it served about six million Ghanaians then. One would have thought this development was a precursor of greater achievements for erstwhile Gold Coast. Rather unfortunately, today, the Akosombo dam and electrical energy in general have become a headache for the nation. ‘’Dumsor dumsor’’ it is.

It is estimated Ghana currently has a power deficit of 550MW (megawatts) including 200MW for reserve. It is pathetic instead of stakeholders working fervently to ensure energy security in the nation, all the glamour is about political talks. It will be a grave injustice to blame a particular political leader/party for the dumsor mess we find ourselves in. Each and every head of state who once served after Dr. Nkrumah’s regime should be congratulated for our energy crisis- well at least that is what they expect us to do.

It cannot take a single blog post to consume up our entire energy sector but this post may just prove otherwise.

Akosombo dam has been the pulse of Ghana's electrical energy

THE CHALLENGES

It is becoming evident no crisis in my country can be divorced from poor leadership. Absolute lack of foresight is the virus for our current predicament in the energy sector. Imagine if all the eleven heads of states who served after Dr. Nkrumah at a point in time had decided to construct another 1038MW dam or better still look to other avenues of power. Even though ex-president J.A Kuffour did attempt a power to add up to the power generating capacity through the construction of the Bui dam, this project was just another political gimmick and it may take forever for the Bui dam to be fully operational. In addition, financial incapacity has cost us a lot in the power sector. We lack the financial muscles to improve on our power generation and this is by no fault of Nature’s. We have failed miserably at generating income from our power sector. Just about two weeks ago, we have been made aware of GHC500m debt owed the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). Last year at the public accounts committee, revelations on ECG’s annual turnover in 2013 was at best comical. One may be tempted to think inadequate indigenous scientific knowledge may be one of the challenges battling our energy sector. For instance, a friend quizzed me on why our professors could not lead a team of students to work on a power plant. Then again, you go back to my two previous points; poor leadership and lack of funds. Stories of low water levels on annual bases in the Akosombo dam may as well legitimise this claim of inadequate scientific capacity, but l do not agree. Test the Ghanaian professor and his students through the provision of all apparatus, and you see the results for yourself.

leadership wahala, the vision of Osagyefo still missen

ABOUNDING HOME PROSPECTS

Even in all the management blues, Ghana still maintains a great potential to be an energy power house in Africa. The resources for all forms of electrical power generation are everlasting in the nation. The tidal waves, lakes, rivers, sun, biomass, winds, and thermal prospects are all encouraging. Luckily for us, there are text book approaches on the utilisation of all these available natural resources in the form of electrical energy. More intriguing is that all the potential power sources are limitless and unquantifiable. In addition, the controversial nuclear plant is also an avenue for power generation. Let us leave the politics out of the discourse surrounding the building of a nuclear plant in the country and allow science to take charge. Nothing could be impossible, more so when the blueprint is in other countries. The uranium deposits could finish in the next future but l believe can go beyond the realms of uranium. Why can we not pioneer with a new form of atomic electrical power generation even if it will take us the discovery of ‘’ghananium’’ to do so? Electrical energy potentials are all over the nation and that which is needed is the ever elusive harnessing.

tidal waves at Ada beach; a potential of power hub

THE SHORT TERM MAGIC BULLET

The crises are confronting our power sector, and all we should focus now on is finding a solution or risk dumsor make energy sector powerless. I have monitored His Excellency attempt to solve the problem in the interim, most recent of which took him on the plane to Berlin, and the formation of a power ministry. I do not see any hindrance to the Ministry of Energy that it could not roll out measures to arrest the menace of dumsor, and l do not believe it takes an establishment of a new ministry to provide energy security for a nation either. Well, young Barack Obama told our parliament and the nation at large in his address-way back in 2009 when he paid a visit-to pay important attention to make investments in the power sector. It therefore amazes me that the ‘’yevoo’’ opened our eyes, we chose to close our eyes and fly blindly to the white to bail our power sector out.

I have thought of a short term plan to generate 800MW of power in a matter of six months. 800MW is more than enough to end dumsor and also provides a surplus of 250MW, which could be sold out. My break down includes; 160MW solar project to be situated in the North, 480MW biomass project to be situated in the South, and 160MW wind energy project to be situated at the Central portion of the nation. 

I am aware of the fact that in economic terms, one would suggest we focus on just  biomass because it is the cheapest form among the three forms l have enlisted above, but l think the other two forms- solar and wind- are vital in the future and paying attention to them now is a watershed investment. In scientific tools, management, capacity building, etc, an investment in wind and solar now shall pay us back in the shortest possible future. Also, it is only expensive to install solar cells, afterwards it is all about reaping the fruits.

concentrating solar power in Spain, a blueprint

FUNDING

A 480MW biomass project will cost us $125m, a 160MW solar project will cost $460m, and a 160MW wind project will cost $240m. All these dollars sum up to 795m. It is an open secret the Volta River Authority lacks the financial strength to carry out such a project.

In somewhat a deviating sentence, l would like to express my displeasure at efforts give up huge stakes in our energy sector to the private sector to private firms; these private firms have nothing to offer Ghanaians, all these private firms seek is the maximisation of profit. We cannot keep burdening the Ghanaian with unreasonable tariffs due to investments by private firms.

In my capital tree to raise $795m, l have uncovered an indigenous way to come up with the funds;

Ø $267.5m syndicate loan from banks operating in the country at the rate of accumulated 130% in period 30 months.

Ø $100m investment from the VRA/Government of Ghana.

Ø $70m investment from Ghanaians in the diaspora under the supervision of Ghana’s embassies with mandate from Bank of Ghana by the sales of treasuries at 100% with a maturation period of 30 months

Ø $357.5m investment from Ghanaians at home through the sales of treasuries at 100% with a maturation period of 30 months;

1.     An investment of $100,000 each from 500 citizens

2.     An investment of $50,000 each from 1000 citizens

3.     An investment of $20,000 each from 4000 citizens

4.     An investment of $10,000 each from 5000 citizens

5.     An investment of $5,000 each from 15000 citizens

6.     An investment of $1,000 each from 30000 citizens

7.     An investment of $500 each from 30000 citizens

8.     An investment of $100 each from 40000 citizens

9.     An investment of $50 each from 70000 citizens

Due to the poor revenue generated by the VRA and ECG over the years, investors may be reluctant to trust their investments in the hands of VRA. Nonetheless, if proper logistics are put in place, investments shall flow in. It is obvious that the energy industry particularly in Africa is lucrative venture. It just takes a little bit of awareness creation to get indigenous Ghanaians to invest in the power sector of their nation-everyone wants to say goodbye to dumsor. The heavy profit margins- though they may look ridiculous at first sight- is a ruse aimed at encouraging investing at a fast pace. Besides, 800MW of electrical power at the current tariff rate rakes in well over GHC9.5bn in 30 months, so there is enough to give out. 

I do not want to bore you with the breakdown of the finances (you may forward any concerns over the finances to me at kizito8@gmail.com and l shall address all those l can). At the end of the investment cycle, the VRA should have well over GHC4bn to invest independently in other electric projects.  

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Africa in general has her fair share of the power crisis. It is good news for any investor who is keen on investing in the energy sector of Africa. Power generation and distribution in Ghana should never be limited to the borders of Ghana alone. The West Africa power crisis is a scholarship for our power sector to build and underline its pedigree. 

‘’ECG’’ can tap into this market by building under water cable through the gulfs. Mozambique, Gambia, Ethiopia, Sudan and Congo would not prevent Ghana from providing them with reliable power through the harnessing of their hydroelectric potentials. Furthermore, the principles of solar, thermal, wind etc holds elsewhere on the continent. It has been estimated Africa needs to invest $480bn to put an end to the erratic power supply system on the continent, and if you invest $480bn in electricity over period of three decades, you make hundred$ of trillion$.

    

VRA, still an awful lot of work to be done

To carry out the vision of this post, we must not rely on only Volta River Authority. Talks of nuclear, solar, and biomass means other forces must come to the fore. Parliament, it is now your turn.

In7tweets; the blog.

It is with great enthusiasm and gratefulness to God Almighty that l write this blog, which is technical not my maiden one. In this post, l introduce the blog to you. In7tweets.

The blog is mainly focused on Ghana. I take a look at our challenges from economic, social and political point of view. I also explore the abounding avenues in our nation that could be used to address these challenges. In furtherance, l shall blog on ‘’extras’’ section.

The economic tab of the blog deals in espousing of the financial benefits of Ghana. I go on a journey through the entire country and identify key potentials in the nation. I shall also dig deep into all potentials of the nation, analyse where we have gotten it wrong in the past and present effective strategic prognoses to all our national financial nemesis. I am working on a degree in health so do not worry, there shall be no abuse of economics terms, besides l do not know them that much. We shall keep it simple.

The social aspect is about interacting with you on the root of our being as a nation. The fundamental elements that make and can unmake us. It is an important aspect of our national development because our social rudiments most touch our souls. You have been hearing of the term socio-economic, expect something similar too.

Another important section also is the political. The nation is being run in and with politics. It is likely to this trend will continue for the foreseeable future. The major question we need to answer as a nation is how we do the politics in our beloved Ghana. In this blog, l shall present you with the white light politics with regards to the structure of the political parties, the political players, the systems and the institutions, the policies ant the ethics and the religion that we can best adopt in our political setting to help shape an organised future combined with a solid brand for the nation.

Finally, the extras tab pertains to observations that l will be making on our culture and present you with hidden gems in our culture. These gems vary from scientific, marketing and human resources management nous in that we have ignored.

The name in7tweets originates from another feature of the blog. It really is not a feature on the blog but on twitter. I give you a succinct presentation of each blog post just in7tweets. This is mainly for those of us who cannot make time to read thousands of words at a go. I do not want time to be the satan between my readers and l.

Like every blogger writes, please keep your comments coming in. Your views, opinions, objections, corrections, suggestions are warmly welcome. We just want to see our homeland flourishing. It is a national course, a universal blog in7tweets.

TOURISM; the forgotten diamond pool

Tourism is a powerful tool for the economic transformation all over the world. Nations have reaped and are continuously reaping the benefits of tourism all over the world. Tourism serves as a perfect avenue for a nation to rake in revenue and create jobs for her citizens. It also aids in the branding of a nation, and cements her reputation on the international front. This is because; the culture of the environment is an important factor tourists take into consideration when they, chose to assess and judge nation, furthermore, tourists are most likely to ‘’report’’ on the culture of a nation they visited when they depart. Tourism also would be a channel for us to make huge revenue. Tourists shall spend money on various transactions when they are in the country. In addition, tourism is a source for job creation for Ghana. Management of tourism centres, and general transactions involving tourists are means of generating gargantuan amounts of jobs in the country. This will go a long way to curb the unemployment canker in the nation.

Ghana’s tourism industry-it does not qualify to be called one though in any case- has always being a fiasco. Tourism resources and facilities have been left to rot. Our culture and history are gradually going down the drain. Also, there have been inadequate efforts and plans to boost the tourism sector of our beloved country. The Ministry of Tourism and Culture in contrast, has fantastic objectives, yet it seems like another political talk-a damp squib. I think most of the objectives outlined on the Ministry’s website are brilliant, but they have being there since time immemorial. In this blog, l give my thoughts on the activation of the nation’s tourism sector.

I have made a 5-year-projection on the tourism sector of Ghana. My projection amounts to a sum of $6bn in the first year, $8bn in the second year, $10bn in the third year, $12bn in the fourth year, and $15bn in the fifth year. The sum of these figures indicates Ghana has more than enough potential to generate a decent $51bn from her tourism sector in five consecutive years. This will only happen if she manages the tourism sector scrupulously, tactically and innovatively. Furthermore, it is just customary that benefits from the tourism industry catapults-let’s leave this for another day. My projections are based on the structuring of our tourism sector to attract certain population of tourists from the various continents; 800000 from the Americas, 540000 from Europe, 500000 from Asia, 2000 from Australia, 20000 from the rest of Africa, and 234000 Ghanaians. Also, tourists from these destinations should spend a mean amount of £2500, $3000, $2500, $1650, $3500, and $18 respectively.  10% annual increase in the number of tourists from each corresponding year is my final hypothesis for the projection l have stated.

Another important aspect of the tourism sector that we must pay attention to if we seek to build a buoyant tourism industry is publicity; the attraction of tourists and the creation of awareness about tourism in our country. We currently possess all the elements necessary to be a class act of tourism nations. Stable political environment, perfect geographical location, hospital people, awesome history, decent cost of living, parks, gardens, forts, castles, game reserves, forests, water falls, beaches, rivers and lakes, landmark buildings to mention but just a few. Also, the surging desire of the world for the culture of Africa plays to Ghana’s. Ghana simply ticks all the boxes when it comes of ideal tourism destination. Unfortunately, these credentials alone are insufficient to attract multitudes of tourists locally and internationally. It only takes concerted efforts to establish ourselves on the world tourism map. I suggest the following remedies;

Ø Inter-school tourism quizzes competition for both elementary and senior high schools. Whatever be the format, the competition for the elementary school pupils must be in the local language pertaining a particular district/ municipal/metropolitan. That of the high school students should be on national language and contested in English Language

Ø Adoption of an adinkra symbol to represent tourism in Ghana.

Ø Printing the adinkra symbol on Black Stars’ jersey.

Ø  National tourism festivals. We know how to really organise a mega festival so l am counting on our track records to bail us out in this regard.

Ø Hosting of social events & government functions at tourist grounds.

Ø Scheduling of visiting foreign officials to tourism centres.

Ø Weekly publications on state websites and newspapers. In addition the state ought to create 90seconds adverts on all state airwaves in promotion of tourism. This bullet is a typical text-book approach we have failed at.

Ø 3 months embargo on international tourism in Ghana by parliament on the bases of ‘’pimping the tourism sector to better project issues and provide tourists with the finest tourism experience’’. This is for the creation of controversies, reviews about the country’s tourism industry in the international media/sphere.

Ø ‘’Pan African’’ festival in the United Kingdom to lift the 3 months ban on tourism. The English media? Yes!

Ø Annual tourism festivals in all of Ghana’s embassies across the world. 

festivals; the pride of the  nation

fort prinzeinstein left to rot

Atorkor Slave Trade Memorial Park, examples of deteriorating sites

Ghana’s tourism industry is most at risk due to myriad of challenges; from poor road networks, sub-standard transport system, destroyed and debilitating tourism facilities and resources, and poor sanitation at tourist destinations. Imagine the laborious efforts one has to go through to access the Wli water fall, the despicable sights at our beaches, the trotro hassle, and the rickety fort prinzenstein (Keta) and many other national sites of heritage and value. I sympathise with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture because their annual budgetary allocation is just funny. I would not want to quote any figures here else any foreigner reading this post will just ‘’laugh at us’’. It is just due to remarkable lack of vision and foresight that would make a nation allocate such peanuts to a tourism sector blooming with such potential. Tourism is supposed to be an eventful adventure away from home not the search of a mathematical formula to Heaven. These challenges we must strike down or risk them striking us down.

Luckily, there are text book solutions to these problems. A lot of financial commitment must go into the construction of roads, and at the moment the nation seem incapable of raising such funds herself. The tangible suggestion is loans. Procuring about $1.05bn loan to boost one’s tourism industry is realistic. Construction of roads leading to tourist sites, renovation of major sites, clean up and upgrading of beaches and lake and river sides, and installation of standard accessories (facilities) at existing tourist sites are key areas we should look to invest in for the interim.

As we progress, we need to systematically, solidify our grasp on the tourism market by constantly innovating. We also have to eschew our non-maintenance culture and regularly run maintenance of all our tourism facilities. In addition, we have to expand our tourism industry, and give it an identity. The natural resources are not going to make us $150bn annually consistently for 25 years. We need to start getting artificial and begin building.  You cannot talk about an identity for your national tourism when you afford not a simple national library. We could a centre of African history and culture right here in Accra. We can build museums in every district, municipal, and metropolitan assembly. There are a lot of parameters we could put in place . . . It is all about thinking outside the box . . . for now let’s kick start things first. Our activities surrounding our tourism sector in the future should all be geared towards attainment of reputable international tourism status.

OPEN LETTER TO THE GHANAIAN POLITICIAN

It is with so much pain that l put this piece together to tell you about my politician, the Ghanaian politician. It is an open secret Ghana is endowed with all forms of resources; human, natural and spiritual resources to mention but a few. Ghana possess them all. It is in the light of the overwhelming potentials in the nation that l uncover the heartache of my nation for decades-the
politician.

Ghana has achieved certain landmarks due to your works. In recent times, your actions and inactions have been so devastating that your achievements have gone into oblivion.  Some citizens even tend to forget the fact that a politician has gained independence for this nation. Also, others will need a second thought to realise it was the same you who brought about the freedom being enjoyed in the country today in the form of democracy way back in 1992.

To set the ball rolling, you have shown many traits of selfishness that you need to refrain from this year. In the past, you always make major decisions to your advantage. Unfortunately, the situation has become so grave that the peanuts you used to throw at the citizenry has also been denied of the citizenry. Whether, major or minor decisions, all the options you chose are to fill your stomach. Selfishness cannot be maintained in our political hemisphere if you wish to transform the economy and the general political structure of the nation, Ghana.

To your advantage; your political party, families and contemporaries. Also, majority of your actions and inactions are for the good of your political party and the members at the expense of the Ghanaian who voted you into power. I appreciate the fact that you run under the umbrella of your various parties, regardless, it does not make a justification to direct all national resources to the development of your political parties. Bribery and corruption is as a result of the selfishness in the political terrain of our beloved country.

Due to the selfishness of all, it is almost impossible for you to work together (from various political parties). Your inability to form a multi-party executive to run the nation consistently over the past two decades is an indication of your selfishness. 

just about the parties

Furthermore, you do not show any grit in the fulfilling your campaign promises. Prior to your election, you have made the nation loads some promises. The very day you step into office, it looks like you have forgotten all the promises you made en route to your election. It looks as if you gained power through inheritance; in contrast, you were elected to power based on a manifesto. There is always the lackadaisical attitude when it comes to discharging your manifesto promises.

It is very common to see a person with a successful career in a private organisation but suddenly, the same person becomes a fiasco the moment he/she takes up a political appointment.

There is a growing perception in the public that you forget about your manifesto promises because you attain power to achieve your personal goals; this is a justification of my previous point. The few times you have shown a wee bit of desire too, the desire get choked in your ‘’pipeline’’ and your project never come to fruition. The few that do come to fruition are usually sub-standard as compared to the initial plane as compared to similar projects elsewhere around the world.

You ought to pay more attention to the people who elected you into power. They definitely have their quota to contribute to nation people. Nation building is a concerted effort with all and sundry bringing on board their individual prowess. You have to open an honest door for the people to be involved in the national discourse and development.

In addition, you undermine the sovereignty of the people and also allowing impunity to enter your head. You have become recklessly insensitive to the grievances of the people when you assume office. Their views and pleas sound either foolish or pathetic to you. The best you do is to give the nation cheeky analyses and responses most often. Just imagine yourself being defiant on the sale of a particular national asset and maintain that you would sell it again and again, even upon being reprimanded nationally.

 I wish you begin to honestly work on the development of the nation. You ought to set goals in both the long term and the short term. Set up a discourse to fix a national agenda in a very holistic manner-to assess and dig solutions for Ghana’s challenges-rather than ruse to earn political gimmicks. The nation wants to see pragmatic actions taken with the success of the nation as the focal point. Work on the revival and progress of the nation devoid of shenanigans to capture votes. The entire nation shall revolve if you chose to forego certain attitudes of yours. All the nation’s resources rest in your bosom. The nation needs an efficient utilisation of these resources to make a headway. Majority of the power of the nation lies in your hands, and the people have also entrusted their sovereignty to you who holding political power. Your actions and inactions destroy or build the nation. The country begs of you for a positive change to prevail.

In accordance to the rules of political power and for the sake of the integrity of the country change your demeanour and utterances. You know it is important the sort of image one builds for themselves in politics. Your chances of retaining power certainly depend on it. Even though it may look like the most vituperative, ballistic and unguarded in speeches is becoming popular with the media and the populaces, your chances are brightest for retaining power with acceptable and decent articulation. Also, your demeanour goes a long way in the branding of the nation. What you do and how you do it projects the nation to the international society. The young in society also look up to you for mentorship. These youths are picking a lot from you. They grow the way you shape them up. You have begun damaging the essential core of the morality of the nation.

Finally, inspire the nation with self believe and aspirations. Make the youth of the land believe in themselves. The young should know of the avalanche of prospects the nation has and work to harness them. The old should awaken the spirit of patriotism and the die-hard attitude for the nation. Motivate the old to see and belief the need to resurge the love for the nation above all things except Heaven. This will trickle down and cause the youths to be induced with the spirit of patriotism in the youth. Set the nation ablaze with ambitions and great dreams. Work hard to dispel the notion of distress and dismay in the country.

I do not know when my politician plans to turn on a new leaf, all l know is you are my cardiodynia, my heartpain.