The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has moved swiftly to dispel widespread reports of an impending nationwide blackout, clarifying that planned maintenance by ENI will not lead to a return of “dumsor.”
The Ministry’s response comes in the wake of media reports suggesting that Ghanaians should brace for a total power outage on Sunday, July 13, due to a scheduled shutdown by ENI, a key player in the country’s gas supply chain.
Richmond Rockson, Spokesperson and Head of Communication at the Ministry, strongly refuted the claims during an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Wednesday, July 9.
“What the Minister said has been completely misrepresented. There is no truth to the reports of a nationwide blackout,” Rockson stated. “Yes, there will be scheduled maintenance by ENI, and that may lead to temporary and localized interruptions in power supply—but not widespread outages.”
Energy Minister John Abdulai Jinapor had earlier indicated that ENI’s temporary shutdown was part of a routine operation to boost gas production and perform essential maintenance work on its facilities. While acknowledging the potential for minor disruptions, he emphasized that robust contingency plans have been put in place to minimize the impact on consumers.
Rockson reiterated that the Ministry remains committed to ensuring reliable power delivery and is actively coordinating with key stakeholders in the energy sector to manage the maintenance period effectively.
“There is no cause for alarm. The Minister never said there would be a nationwide blackout, and we urge the media and public to be circumspect in how they interpret official statements,” Rockson added.
The clarification comes at a time of heightened sensitivity around power issues, with the public still wary of a potential return to prolonged outages that once crippled households and businesses.
The Ministry has assured Ghanaians that the upcoming ENI maintenance exercise is under control and that electricity supply across the country will remain largely stable.
