General News of Sunday, 8 March 2015

Source: rawgist.com

Gov't cannot do magic now to address ‘Dumsor’- Woyongo

Interior Minister Mark Woyongo has cautioned Ghanaians to avoid resorting to demonstrations as a means of registering their frustrations over the current energy crisis.

According to him, there are several other means by which citizens could register their grievances instead of hitting the streets to stage demonstrations over the power challenges and other issues of national concern.

His comments come at a time when there is increasing public outcry over the severe energy crisis Ghana is currently grappling with.

Pressure groups including the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and its flag bearer have staged demonstrations to compel the current administration of fix the country’s energy situation.

Speaking in an interview, Mr Woyongo indicated that Government has already outlined measures to address the energy situation and such demonstrations cannot change the planned measures.

“Government cannot do magic now to address the energy crisis, it has already outlined measures is taking to address the situation. So even if you demonstrate a million times, the situation cannot be eased immediately, you have to still wait for the Government programme, ”he stressed.

He said the general public needs to find innovative ways of registering their protest rather than usual demonstrations which is fast becoming a ritual.

He cited the use of press conferences and press releases as alternative means of signaling Government on worrying national concerns to demonstrations.

Mr Woyongo added that, the recently held protest over the ‘dumsor, dumsor’ was needless because the move did not bring any changes the situation.

He further said, other African countries also go through similar power challenges and people living in such countries do not stage demonstrations as it is done ‘rampantly’ in Ghana.

The Interior Minister has also attributed the worsening power situation in the country to the low levels of rainfalls recorded in the Northern part of the country.

He said the problems of power started long ago and Ghanaians must bear with Government as it makes efforts to fix it.